Pop star and creator of Pakistan's popular animated TV series "Burka Avenger" has launched a song inspired by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, which highlights the issues of racial inequality.

Pop star and creator of Pakistan's "Burka Avenger" tackles racism with song

A lawyer representing the parents of slain US journalist Daniel Pearl has produced a handwritten letter in Pakistan's Supreme Court in which the key accused in the case claimed that he was a "scapegoat" arrested under "US pressure" and the real mastermind was a Karachi-based terrorist.

Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story in 2002 on the links between the country's powerful spy agency ISI and al-Qaeda.

British-born al-Qaeda leader Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and his three aides were convicted and sentenced in the abduction and murder case of Pearl. In April, they were exonerated by the Sindh High Court and an appeal against their acquittal is being heard in the Supreme Court.

According to a Express Tribune report on Sunday, Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for Pearl's parents, has produced the handwritten letter in the Supreme Court in which Sheikh claimed that the real culprit was a militant, Attaur Rehman, from Karachi.

Siddiqui told the apex court that the letter was submitted to the Sindh High Court on July 19, 2019.

In the letter, Sheikh claimed that he was "a scapegoat" arrested on the "US pressure" and that the real culprit was Rehman.

The letter was produced during a hearing of the appeals against the acquittal of the four accused in the Pearl murder case. A three-judge special bench led by Justice Mushir Alam heard the appeals of the Sindh government and Pearl's parents, Ruth and Judie Pearl, against the high court ruling.

Siddiqui contended that the bench must consider it. However, the apex court will decide on it on the next date of hearing on January 4, the report said.

Sheikh further said in his letter that he had been in prison under the death sentence since 2002, charged and convicted for the abduction and murder of Pearl. However, it was on public record that neither did he abduct Pearl nor did he murder him and it had been acknowledged by the US government and by Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf in his book.

Sheikh said his role in this case was a relatively minor one, which did not warrant the death sentence, adding that he had already served in prison -- most of which has been in illegal solitary confinement.

According to the letter, the pressure on the Pakistan government at the time (in 2002) by the US was so intense that Sheikh was used as a "scapegoat" to lessen that pressure.

"Therefore, evidence was fabricated against me to convict me of the abduction and murder of Daniel Pearl,"&nbsp;Sheikh claimed.

"Later, when the person (Rehman alias Naeem Bukhari) who actually abducted Daniel was arrested, he was not charged with the case because to do so would have exposed the lies and perjured evidence that the Musharraf government used to convict me,? he added.

The letter claimed that despite Rs 1 million reward money on Rehman -- because of his role in the case -- he was not produced in court but was kept in secret illegal custody of the Rangers for five years, then in Sukkur jail for two years and charged only with a fabricated case of possession of drugs.

After Rehman's release, he is alleged to have organised some of the most devastating attacks Karachi has ever seen, including blowing up of the Rangers Headquarters in Nazimabad, where he was previously secretly held, Sheikh claimed.

The letter also claimed that if Ata was executed then the evidence, which would prove the truth about Pearl's case, would be lost forever. Therefore, Sheikh requested the court to pass a stay order that would ensure that Rehman was not executed until testified in the Pearl case.

"The court is also requested to arrange for the hearing of this appeal without further delay on a day to day basis and to summon both me and Rehman to the court for hearing so that I may be exonerated of the fabricated charges against me and given an opportunity to clarify my actual role in this matter so that my sentence may be reduced, accordingly to one which is consistent with the requirements of justice," the letter stated.

Two days after the Sindh High Court overturned Sheikh's conviction in April, the Sindh government invoked the Maintenance of Public Order to keep the four convicts in jail.

Though exonerated by the court, the Sindh government has refused to set Sheikh free citing that he could pose a threat to public order.&nbsp;

A lawyer representing the parents of slain US journalist Daniel Pearl has produced a handwritten letter in Pakistan's Supreme Court in which the key accused in the case claimed that he was a "scapegoat" arrested under "US pressure" and the real mastermind was a Karachi-based terrorist.

A lawyer representing the parents of slain US journalist Daniel Pearl has produced a handwritten letter in Pakistan's Supreme Court in which the key accused in the case claimed that he was a "scapegoat" arrested under "US pressure" and the real mastermind was a Karachi-based terrorist. Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story in 2002 on the links between the country's powerful spy agency ISI and al-Qaeda. British-born al-Qaeda leader Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and his three aides were convicted and sentenced in the abduction and murder case of Pearl. In April, they were exonerated by the Sindh High Court and an appeal against their acquittal is being heard in the Supreme Court. According to a Express Tribune report on Sunday, Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for Pearl's parents, has produced the handwritten letter in the Supreme Court in which Sheikh claimed that the real culprit was a militant, Attaur Rehman, from Karachi. Siddiqui told the apex court that the letter was submitted to the Sindh High Court on July 19, 2019. In the letter, Sheikh claimed that he was "a scapegoat" arrested on the "US pressure" and that the real culprit was Rehman. The letter was produced during a hearing of the appeals against the acquittal of the four accused in the Pearl murder case. A three-judge special bench led by Justice Mushir Alam heard the appeals of the Sindh government and Pearl's parents, Ruth and Judie Pearl, against the high court ruling. Siddiqui contended that the bench must consider it. However, the apex court will decide on it on the next date of hearing on January 4, the report said. Sheikh further said in his letter that he had been in prison under the death sentence since 2002, charged and convicted for the abduction and murder of Pearl. However, it was on public record that neither did he abduct Pearl nor did he murder him and it had been acknowledged by the US government and by Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf in his book. Sheikh said his role in this case was a relatively minor one, which did not warrant the death sentence, adding that he had already served in prison -- most of which has been in illegal solitary confinement. According to the letter, the pressure on the Pakistan government at the time (in 2002) by the US was so intense that Sheikh was used as a "scapegoat" to lessen that pressure. "Therefore, evidence was fabricated against me to convict me of the abduction and murder of Daniel Pearl," Sheikh claimed. "Later, when the person (Rehman alias Naeem Bukhari) who actually abducted Daniel was arrested, he was not charged with the case because to do so would have exposed the lies and perjured evidence that the Musharraf government used to convict me,? he added. The letter claimed that despite Rs 1 million reward money on Rehman -- because of his role in the case -- he was not produced in court but was kept in secret illegal custody of the Rangers for five years, then in Sukkur jail for two years and charged only with a fabricated case of possession of drugs. After Rehman's release, he is alleged to have organised some of the most devastating attacks Karachi has ever seen, including blowing up of the Rangers Headquarters in Nazimabad, where he was previously secretly held, Sheikh claimed. The letter also claimed that if Ata was executed then the evidence, which would prove the truth about Pearl's case, would be lost forever. Therefore, Sheikh requested the court to pass a stay order that would ensure that Rehman was not executed until testified in the Pearl case. "The court is also requested to arrange for the hearing of this appeal without further delay on a day to day basis and to summon both me and Rehman to the court for hearing so that I may be exonerated of the fabricated charges against me and given an opportunity to clarify my actual role in this matter so that my sentence may be reduced, accordingly to one which is consistent with the requirements of justice," the letter stated. Two days after the Sindh High Court overturned Sheikh's conviction in April, the Sindh government invoked the Maintenance of Public Order to keep the four convicts in jail. Though exonerated by the court, the Sindh government has refused to set Sheikh free citing that he could pose a threat to public order.

Pakistan Supreme Court to decide on letter of Daniel Pearl's murder accused

The vehicle of the United Nations Military Observers (UNMO) along the LoC was hit by the unidentified object while conducting routine monitoring. Pakistani army has accused Indian army of targeting the vehicle.

UNMO vehicle impacted while conducting routine monitoring along LoC

Pakistan has started the legal process to reach an extradition treaty with Britain that would pave the way for the UK to hand over former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan starts legal process for former PM Nawaz Sharif’s extradition

French authorities have charged and detained four Pakistanis suspected of links to a meat cleaver attack by a compatriot outside the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo weekly.

The attack had then wounded two people.

According to AFP, the four male suspects were in contact with the attacker. They are suspected of being aware of the attacker's plot and inciting him to carry it out.

Three of them were charged on Friday with taking part in a terrorist conspiracy and placed in pre-trial detention. The fourth had already been charged on Wednesday.

News of the charges comes two days after a Paris court convicted 13 accomplices of the jihadist gunmen who massacred Charlie Hebdo staff in January 2015.

The magazine had, in early September, reprinted cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed -- maybe to mark the start of that trial.

Three weeks later, a Pakistani man wounded two people outside the weekly's former offices, hacking at them with a cleaver.

The assailant, named as Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud was arrested after September's attack on terror charges and remains in custody. He told investigators that prior to the attack he had watched "videos from Pakistan" concerning the satirical magazine's decision to republish the cartoons.

On October 16, a young Chechen refugee beheaded teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown some of the caricatures to his pupils.

Less than two weeks later, three people were killed when a young Tunisian recently arrived in Europe went on a stabbing spree at a church in the Mediterranean city of Nice.

French authorities have charged and detained four Pakistanis suspected of links to a meat cleaver attack by a compatriot outside the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo weekly.

French authorities have charged and detained four Pakistanis suspected of links to a meat cleaver attack by a compatriot outside the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo weekly. The attack had then wounded two people. According to AFP, the four male suspects were in contact with the attacker. They are suspected of being aware of the attacker's plot and inciting him to carry it out. Three of them were charged on Friday with taking part in a terrorist conspiracy and placed in pre-trial detention. The fourth had already been charged on Wednesday. News of the charges comes two days after a Paris court convicted 13 accomplices of the jihadist gunmen who massacred Charlie Hebdo staff in January 2015. The magazine had, in early September, reprinted cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed -- maybe to mark the start of that trial. Three weeks later, a Pakistani man wounded two people outside the weekly's former offices, hacking at them with a cleaver. The assailant, named as Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud was arrested after September's attack on terror charges and remains in custody. He told investigators that prior to the attack he had watched "videos from Pakistan" concerning the satirical magazine's decision to republish the cartoons. On October 16, a young Chechen refugee beheaded teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown some of the caricatures to his pupils. Less than two weeks later, three people were killed when a young Tunisian recently arrived in Europe went on a stabbing spree at a church in the Mediterranean city of Nice.

France detains four people of Pak origin over attack on former Charlie Hebdo offices

Pakistan's injustices in Balochistan are well-documented, but with the onset of CPEC projects in the region, human rights violations have only grown.&nbsp;

Here's a report on how thousands of Balochs who opposed Chinese investments on their land disappeared.&nbsp;

Balochistan, in Pakistan's southwest, is the largest and most resource-rich province in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-balochistan-land-of-the-disappeared-350871/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For more than 60 years, Balochs have fought for their independence.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taking-a-leaf-out-of-chinas-book-pak-army-develops-xinjiang-style-indoctrination-camps-in-balochistan-325804">Taking a leaf out of China's book, Pak army develops Xinjiang style indoctrination camps in Balochistan</a>

However, their movement has caused gross human rights abuses.&nbsp;

Abdul Hameed Baloch's mother stopped speaking after she got to know that her son and Abdul's brother is among the list of 5,000 people who have gone missing from the province.&nbsp;

The 35-year-old factory guard disappeared in July and his brother Abdul has only his photographs that show Pakistan authorities taking his brother away.&nbsp;

"If someone committed a crime, they should be punished. But what is my mother's crime? Why she is being punished? She has been weeping for her son day and night, now she has stopped speaking," said Abdul.&nbsp;

Abdul believes that he could be the next one and is afraid to share his plight.

He is scared that he too might be picked up and dumped after being killed.&nbsp;

"It is destruction, we cannot describe it, what is happening with us in Balochistan. Why is it happening to us? Why are they doing this? Only they know. It is a kind of destruction. We fear that if they know that I am talking about this destruction in Balochistan, maybe they will pick me up and dump me after killing me," he added.

27-year old Hani Baloch and her fiance never thought of themselves as dissidents.

But in May this year, just weeks before their wedding, Hani and her to-be husband Nasim were picked by Pakistani officials over accusation of being part of a pro-independence terror outfit.&nbsp;

The couple were tortured, electrocuted and hit with rifle butts.&nbsp;

"They tortured us, they gave us electric shocks while we were sat down on chairs, they hit my right foot with a rifle butt. I'm in pain when I walk. They hit my head with the rifle butt, I had six stitches on my head," Hani said.&nbsp;

"We want all those who went missing to be recovered. If they are criminals, you have courts, you have jails, our lawyers will defend us. If they are found guilty, we will accept the punishment that the state gives us. But it is not acceptable to keep us in custody," Hani, whose fiancee is still missing, added.&nbsp;

The conflict between Balochs and Pakistani administration intensified due to CPEC as billions of dollars of Chinese money is flowing into the region.

The project will provide jobs to outsiders and the locals will be pushed further into the margins.&nbsp;

"CPEC has ignited it because Balochistan is not receiving any share, even labour is being brought from Punjab or Chinese workers are working, there is no trust in Baloch workers, they are not being given work over there, so that it is creating more hatred," said Asad Iqbal Butt, vice-president of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Karachi.&nbsp;

<h2>Civilians paying the price</h2>

In 2019, Baloch rebels stormed into a luxury hotel overlooking a flagship CPEC project in Gwadar and in June this year, Baloch insurgents targeted the Pakistan Stock Exchange.&nbsp;

The attacks were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, but it is the innocent civilians who have suffered the most.&nbsp;

They get picked up by authorities on the slightest of doubt.&nbsp;

A new wave of injustices can be seen in Balochistan as Pakistan is keen on protecting its business interests with China.&nbsp;

And Balochistan has turned into the land of the disappeared.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's injustices in Balochistan are well-documented, but with the onset of CPEC projects in the region, human rights violations have only grown. Here's a report on how thousands of Balochs who opposed Chinese investments on their land disappeared.

Pakistan's injustices in Balochistan are well-documented, but with the onset of CPEC projects in the region, human rights violations have only grown. Here's a report on how thousands of Balochs who opposed Chinese investments on their land disappeared. Balochistan, in Pakistan's southwest, is the largest and most resource-rich province in Pakistan. Watch | For more than 60 years, Balochs have fought for their independence. Also read | Taking a leaf out of China's book, Pak army develops Xinjiang style indoctrination camps in Balochistan However, their movement has caused gross human rights abuses. Abdul Hameed Baloch's mother stopped speaking after she got to know that her son and Abdul's brother is among the list of 5,000 people who have gone missing from the province. The 35-year-old factory guard disappeared in July and his brother Abdul has only his photographs that show Pakistan authorities taking his brother away. "If someone committed a crime, they should be punished. But what is my mother's crime? Why she is being punished? She has been weeping for her son day and night, now she has stopped speaking," said Abdul. Abdul believes that he could be the next one and is afraid to share his plight. He is scared that he too might be picked up and dumped after being killed. "It is destruction, we cannot describe it, what is happening with us in Balochistan. Why is it happening to us? Why are they doing this? Only they know. It is a kind of destruction. We fear that if they know that I am talking about this destruction in Balochistan, maybe they will pick me up and dump me after killing me," he added. 27-year old Hani Baloch and her fiance never thought of themselves as dissidents. But in May this year, just weeks before their wedding, Hani and her to-be husband Nasim were picked by Pakistani officials over accusation of being part of a pro-independence terror outfit. The couple were tortured, electrocuted and hit with rifle butts. "They tortured us, they gave us electric shocks while we were sat down on chairs, they hit my right foot with a rifle butt. I'm in pain when I walk. They hit my head with the rifle butt, I had six stitches on my head," Hani said. "We want all those who went missing to be recovered. If they are criminals, you have courts, you have jails, our lawyers will defend us. If they are found guilty, we will accept the punishment that the state gives us. But it is not acceptable to keep us in custody," Hani, whose fiancee is still missing, added. The conflict between Balochs and Pakistani administration intensified due to CPEC as billions of dollars of Chinese money is flowing into the region. The project will provide jobs to outsiders and the locals will be pushed further into the margins. "CPEC has ignited it because Balochistan is not receiving any share, even labour is being brought from Punjab or Chinese workers are working, there is no trust in Baloch workers, they are not being given work over there, so that it is creating more hatred," said Asad Iqbal Butt, vice-president of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Karachi. Civilians paying the price In 2019, Baloch rebels stormed into a luxury hotel overlooking a flagship CPEC project in Gwadar and in June this year, Baloch insurgents targeted the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The attacks were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, but it is the innocent civilians who have suffered the most. They get picked up by authorities on the slightest of doubt. A new wave of injustices can be seen in Balochistan as Pakistan is keen on protecting its business interests with China. And Balochistan has turned into the land of the disappeared.

How Pakistan, China's project turned Balochistan into land of disappeared

Pakistan has started the legal process to reach an extradition treaty with Britain that would pave the way for the UK to hand over former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The development comes after a top Pakistani court earlier this month declared Sharif &nbsp;a fugitive from justice for failing to return home to face additional corruption charges.

Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison in a separate case, for corruption and money laundering in 2018. He has been living in self-imposed exile in London.

Pakistan currently has no extradition treaty with Britain. The process hence is assumed to take years and could face stiff resistance in parliament.

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party is currently holding nationwide rallies demanding Prime Minister Imran Khan step down by the end of the month over alleged bad governance and failing to improve the country's economy.

Khan refuses to resign, and the opposition has vowed to walk out of parliament and provincial assemblies in 2021 to force early mid-term elections.

Pakistan's Supreme Court ousted Sharif from office over corruption allegations in 2017. Authorities in November 2019 temporarily released him on bail amid deteriorating health so that he could travel and seek medical treatment abroad.

At the time, another court permitted Sharif to leave the country for four weeks, with the option to extend the time abroad if he was not able to travel afterward. His bail later expired and authorities subsequently issued arrest warrants for him.

Also, in 2018, Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison for a separate case of corruption and money laundering.

Pakistan has started the legal process to reach an extradition treaty with Britain that would pave the way for the UK to hand over former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan has started the legal process to reach an extradition treaty with Britain that would pave the way for the UK to hand over former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The development comes after a top Pakistani court earlier this month declared Sharif a fugitive from justice for failing to return home to face additional corruption charges. Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison in a separate case, for corruption and money laundering in 2018. He has been living in self-imposed exile in London. Pakistan currently has no extradition treaty with Britain. The process hence is assumed to take years and could face stiff resistance in parliament. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party is currently holding nationwide rallies demanding Prime Minister Imran Khan step down by the end of the month over alleged bad governance and failing to improve the country's economy. Khan refuses to resign, and the opposition has vowed to walk out of parliament and provincial assemblies in 2021 to force early mid-term elections. Pakistan's Supreme Court ousted Sharif from office over corruption allegations in 2017. Authorities in November 2019 temporarily released him on bail amid deteriorating health so that he could travel and seek medical treatment abroad. At the time, another court permitted Sharif to leave the country for four weeks, with the option to extend the time abroad if he was not able to travel afterward. His bail later expired and authorities subsequently issued arrest warrants for him. Also, in 2018, Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison for a separate case of corruption and money laundering.

Pakistan starts legal process for ex-PM Sharif's extradition

Two former dancing bears have been removed from a controversial Islamabad zoo, just weeks after the "world's loneliest elephant" was rescued from the institution.

Two bears taken from Islamabad zoo weeks after elephant rescue

To a question, Qureshi said that the ''third force'' in the country did not want to get involved in politics at all and was performing their professional responsibilities.

WION Dispatch: PM Imran Khan wont resign, says Shah Mehmood Qureshi

In Pakistan, rapists will now be chemically castrated. What is chemical castration? Will it work in a country where the Prime Minister himself has been accused of sexual harassment?

Gravitas: Pakistan's new anti-rape law

December 16 marks 50th anniversary of India's victory on Pakistan in 1971 war. To mark the event, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lighten up the golden flame at national war memorial.

December 16, 2020 marks 50th anniversary of India's victory on Pakistan in 1971 war

A human rights report released on Monday has slammed Pakistan for its treatment to tens of thousands of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Instead of freeing prisoners like other countries to risk infection in overcrowded and unsanitary jails, Pakistan has increased the prison population.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pak-oppositions-power-show-in-lahore-349801/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

From April 2020 to August 2020, the prison population increased by more than 6,000 across the country to 79,603.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-oppositions-rise-in-protests-signifies-fall-of-imran-khan-349799">Pakistan opposition's rise in protests signifies fall of Imran Khan</a>

Prisoners who were initially freed were later rearrested.&nbsp;

The joint report was prepared by London-based Amnesty International and Justice Project Pakistan.&nbsp;

The report said the inmates face a rising threat of infection and urged authorities to renew efforts to free certain prisoners, especially, the elderly, women and those jailed of conscience.&nbsp;

As the country faces the second wave of the deadly virus, prisoners are still dangerously exposed since the authorities failed to tackle overcrowding and in fact worsened it, said Rimmel Mohydin, South Asia regional campaigner for Amnesty International, as reported by news agency AP.

During the initial outbreak of the virus in February, the Islamabad High Court ordered to free pretrial inmates charged with non-violent crimes as well as those whose bail had been earlier refused.&nbsp;

As many as 519 prisoners were released on bail in the southern Sindh province, but in late March, the Supreme Court suspended all bail orders that were given due to Covid-19.&nbsp;

The report said the apex court's decision led to a reverse trend to release prisoners and caused a rearrest of prisoners.&nbsp;

Sarah Belal, Justice Project Pakistan's executive director said the inmates who were to be freed because of age or time served were also not released.

The women who were convicted or on the trial of petty or minor crimes and were set to be released following Prime Minister Imran Khan's order were also not released, Belal said.&nbsp;

Pakistan's prisons were dangerously overcrowded before the outbreak struck and it normally jails about 80,000 people out of accommodation of fewer than 58,000 prisoners, according to the World Prison Brief.&nbsp;

A human rights report released on Monday has slammed Pakistan for its treatment to tens of thousands of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of freeing prisoners like other countries to risk infection in overcrowded and unsanitary jails, Pakistan has increased the prison population.

A human rights report released on Monday has slammed Pakistan for its treatment to tens of thousands of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of freeing prisoners like other countries to risk infection in overcrowded and unsanitary jails, Pakistan has increased the prison population. Watch | From April 2020 to August 2020, the prison population increased by more than 6,000 across the country to 79,603. Also read | Pakistan opposition's rise in protests signifies fall of Imran Khan Prisoners who were initially freed were later rearrested. The joint report was prepared by London-based Amnesty International and Justice Project Pakistan. The report said the inmates face a rising threat of infection and urged authorities to renew efforts to free certain prisoners, especially, the elderly, women and those jailed of conscience. As the country faces the second wave of the deadly virus, prisoners are still dangerously exposed since the authorities failed to tackle overcrowding and in fact worsened it, said Rimmel Mohydin, South Asia regional campaigner for Amnesty International, as reported by news agency AP. During the initial outbreak of the virus in February, the Islamabad High Court ordered to free pretrial inmates charged with non-violent crimes as well as those whose bail had been earlier refused. As many as 519 prisoners were released on bail in the southern Sindh province, but in late March, the Supreme Court suspended all bail orders that were given due to Covid-19. The report said the apex court's decision led to a reverse trend to release prisoners and caused a rearrest of prisoners. Sarah Belal, Justice Project Pakistan's executive director said the inmates who were to be freed because of age or time served were also not released. The women who were convicted or on the trial of petty or minor crimes and were set to be released following Prime Minister Imran Khan's order were also not released, Belal said. Pakistan's prisons were dangerously overcrowded before the outbreak struck and it normally jails about 80,000 people out of accommodation of fewer than 58,000 prisoners, according to the World Prison Brief.

Pakistani prisoners at high risk of coronavirus infection: Report

The city of Peshawar has long been Pakistan's stronghold of cultural history. City's silk-road hub used to host several travellers and locals at the Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

The story of Peshawar's storytellers, city used to be stronghold of oral history

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the country`s 11-party opposition alliance, has demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government to quit by January 31 or face intensified movements by opposition parties such as the long march to Islamabad.

"Today, we want to make clear to the government that it should resign by January 31," Dawn quoted Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman as saying on Monday.Rehman was speaking to the media in Lahore alongside PML-N`s Maryam Nawaz, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other opposition leaders.

He further said that if the government refuses to quit by that time, a meeting of the PDM`s leadership on February 1 will announce a long march towards Islamabad, the date of which will also be decided during the meeting, Dawn reported."All party workers in PDM and the people of Pakistan are appealed to start preparations for the long march from today," he added.

The next general elections in Pakistan are scheduled for 2023. During the Lahore rally, Geo News quoted Rehman as saying, "We will march towards Islamabad in late January or early February." He further said, "We will no longer allow the illegitimate government to rule. We will only rest after it is brought to an end."According to Anadolu News, tens of thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Pakistan`s northeastern city of Lahore on Sunday, despite a government ban on public gatherings due to coronavirus.

After its sixth power show against the Imran Khan-led government in Lahore, PDM called a meeting of top party leaders to discuss strategy for the next rally that will be held in Larkana.PDM has organised five similar rallies in Peshawar, Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Multan since October 16.&nbsp;

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the country`s 11-party opposition alliance, has demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government to quit by January 31 or face intensified movements by opposition parties such as the long march to Islamabad.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the country`s 11-party opposition alliance, has demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government to quit by January 31 or face intensified movements by opposition parties such as the long march to Islamabad. "Today, we want to make clear to the government that it should resign by January 31," Dawn quoted Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman as saying on Monday.Rehman was speaking to the media in Lahore alongside PML-N`s Maryam Nawaz, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other opposition leaders. He further said that if the government refuses to quit by that time, a meeting of the PDM`s leadership on February 1 will announce a long march towards Islamabad, the date of which will also be decided during the meeting, Dawn reported."All party workers in PDM and the people of Pakistan are appealed to start preparations for the long march from today," he added. The next general elections in Pakistan are scheduled for 2023. During the Lahore rally, Geo News quoted Rehman as saying, "We will march towards Islamabad in late January or early February." He further said, "We will no longer allow the illegitimate government to rule. We will only rest after it is brought to an end."According to Anadolu News, tens of thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Pakistan`s northeastern city of Lahore on Sunday, despite a government ban on public gatherings due to coronavirus. After its sixth power show against the Imran Khan-led government in Lahore, PDM called a meeting of top party leaders to discuss strategy for the next rally that will be held in Larkana.PDM has organised five similar rallies in Peshawar, Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Multan since October 16.

Pakistan opposition demands Imran Khan to quit by Jan 31 or face intensified movements

'Go Niazi' became the clarion call of protesters at the final rally of the Pak Democratic Movement in Lahore. But Imran Khan was least bothered as he spent 'quality time' with his pets.

Gravitas: Pak opposition's 'power-show' in Lahore

As Prime Minister Imran Khan intensifies his efforts to stop the Lahore rally by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Punjab government has imposed a "smart lockdown" in 13 areas surrounding the Minar-e-Pakistan.

According to a report by SAMAA TV, a notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department on Saturday stated that the order will come into force tonight and will stay till December 25.

The areas included in the list are -- Rang Mehal, Androon Shera Wala Gate, Mochi Gate, Adroon Bhatti Gate, Chuhan Road, four streets of Ravi Road and four streets in Badami Bagh.Entry and exit into the neighbourhoods will be controlled and people will only be allowed to go out unless absolutely necessary, SAMAA TV reported.

Meanwhile, the local administration has denied permission to the PDM to hold the rally on December 13 citing a surge in coronavirus cases.Earlier, Imran Khan had warned the opposition that police cases will be lodged against organisers.

In an interview to a private news channel, the premier said the government has decided against allowing the Opposition to hold the public gathering, Geo News reported. "We will file FIRs against everyone -- from the kursi wala to the sound system handlers but won`t stop them [Opposition leaders] from going there," he had said.&nbsp;

As Prime Minister Imran Khan intensifies his efforts to stop the Lahore rally by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Punjab government has imposed a "smart lockdown" in 13 areas surrounding the Minar-e-Pakistan.

As Prime Minister Imran Khan intensifies his efforts to stop the Lahore rally by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Punjab government has imposed a "smart lockdown" in 13 areas surrounding the Minar-e-Pakistan. According to a report by SAMAA TV, a notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department on Saturday stated that the order will come into force tonight and will stay till December 25. The areas included in the list are -- Rang Mehal, Androon Shera Wala Gate, Mochi Gate, Adroon Bhatti Gate, Chuhan Road, four streets of Ravi Road and four streets in Badami Bagh.Entry and exit into the neighbourhoods will be controlled and people will only be allowed to go out unless absolutely necessary, SAMAA TV reported. Meanwhile, the local administration has denied permission to the PDM to hold the rally on December 13 citing a surge in coronavirus cases.Earlier, Imran Khan had warned the opposition that police cases will be lodged against organisers. In an interview to a private news channel, the premier said the government has decided against allowing the Opposition to hold the public gathering, Geo News reported. "We will file FIRs against everyone -- from the kursi wala to the sound system handlers but won`t stop them [Opposition leaders] from going there," he had said.

Smart lockdown in 13 areas ahead of opposition rally in Pakistan

Balakot terror camps targeted by Indian Air Force last year reopens again. These camps to focus on anti-India activities. 2 brothers to Masood Azhar seen at reopening of camp.

Balakot terror camps targeted by Indian Air Force last year, reopens again

The Balakot terror camp in Pakistan, which was targeted by the Indian Air Force in February last year. Has once again reopened to train terrorists and launch attacks, according to sources the camp operations this time will predominantly focus on anti-India activities.

Pakistan continues to be a safe haven for terrorists

China and Pakistan recently signed a military MoU. A report claims this was an intelligence-sharing deal, that will help Pakistan track movements of Indian forces across the border.

Gravitas: China is strengthening the Pakistani Army

Balakot terror camps in Pakistan are active again and the same is clearly visible in a recent video that shows Jaish-e-Mohammed linked terrorists training in the area.

Anti-India slogans raised at Balakot terror camps in Pakistan; video surfaces

The Balakot terror camp in Pakistan, which was targeted by the Indian Air Force in February last year, has once again reopen to train terrorists and launch attacks, according to sources the camp operations this time will predominantly focus on anti-India activities.

Balakot terror camps in Pakistan have reopened

Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has resumed its camps in Pakistan's Balakot region, intelligence sources say.

Sources add the group has been providing training to young recruits to carry out anti-India terror activities.&nbsp;

It has been learned that this training is being carried out at the same place where the Indian Air Force (IAF) had notably conducted air strikes against terror launch pads in 2019.

A video that has surfaced from a Balakot terror camp where slogans were raised against India, Hinduism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi corroborates the information.

According to sources, Maulana Abdul Rauf Azhar, brother of terrorist Masood Azhar, was also present in the training centre and he has been appointed as the in-charge of terror operations against India.&nbsp;

Masood Azhar is the head of Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammad terror out and mastermind of 2019 Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

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For past few weeks, Pakistan Army has been aggressively targetting civilians on Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) by resorting to indiscriminate firing by heavy calibre artillery guns to support infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir.

Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has resumed its camps in Pakistan's Balakot region, intelligence sources say. Sources add the group has been providing training to young recruits to carry out anti-India terror activities.

Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has resumed its camps in Pakistan's Balakot region, intelligence sources say. Sources add the group has been providing training to young recruits to carry out anti-India terror activities. It has been learned that this training is being carried out at the same place where the Indian Air Force (IAF) had notably conducted air strikes against terror launch pads in 2019. A video that has surfaced from a Balakot terror camp where slogans were raised against India, Hinduism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi corroborates the information. According to sources, Maulana Abdul Rauf Azhar, brother of terrorist Masood Azhar, was also present in the training centre and he has been appointed as the in-charge of terror operations against India. Masood Azhar is the head of Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammad terror out and mastermind of 2019 Pulwama attack. × For past few weeks, Pakistan Army has been aggressively targetting civilians on Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) by resorting to indiscriminate firing by heavy calibre artillery guns to support infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir.

Video shows Jaish-e-Mohammad has resumed terror camps in Balakot

Balakot terror camps in Pakistan are active again and the same is clearly visible in a recent video that shows Jaish-e-Mohammad linked terrorists training in the area.

Terror camps in Balakot Pakistan active again. Video surfaces

The United Nations Security Council has allowed Pakistan to pay basic expenses to the 26\11 Mumbai terror attack planner Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi on the request of the Imran Khan government.

UNSC allows Pakistan to pay basic expenses to the 26\11 Mumbai attack planner Lakhvi

This is a very simple method with which you can easily plant 50-60 plants in the time it would normally take to plant one the traditional way.

Your Story: Pakistan could lose its forests in 50 years

The UAE has halted visas to Pakistani citizens. A recruitment agency in Rawalpindi has reportedly lost 3,000 openings in the UAE to India. WION's Palki tells you how Pakistanis are paying the price for Imran Khan's misadventures.

Gravitas: Thousands of Pakistanis out of a job in the gulf

'Naya Pakistan' is turning out to be a nightmare. For all his promises of a new era, Imran Khan has only taken his country backwards.

Gravitas: The creeping failures of 'Naya Pakistan'

Pakistan's united opposition is mulling mass resignation. Almost 50 percent of the elected lawmakers could quit, while Pakistan's military is set to gain sweeping powers over CPEC.

Gravitas: Almost 50% of the elected lawmakers in Pakistan could resign

After a key meeting of the opposition parties in Pakistan it has been decided that all members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement(PDM) will be submitting their resignations by December 31.

News Alert: Pak opposition MPs will submit resignations to party heads by Dec 31

After violating Covid-19 guidelines & getting infected in New Zealand, the Pakistani cricket team is complaining of being 'mentally & physically' hit by 'certain isolation regulations'.

Gravitas: Pak Cricket team Vs New Zealand Authorities

Five suspected terrorists were arrested on Monday in Delhi, India after an encounter and have revealed Pakistan spy agency ISI’s attempt to link up terror outfits in Kashmir with Khalistan operatives. Two out of them were allegedly involved in the murder of Shaurya Chakra winner Balwinder Singh in Punjab.

India: 5 terrorists arrested in Delhi, Khalistani-Kashmir terror link exposed

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Smart lockdown in 13 areas ahead of opposition rally in Pakistan

Balakot terror camps targeted by Indian Air Force last year, reopens again

Pakistan continues to be a safe haven for terrorists

Gravitas: China is strengthening the Pakistani Army

Anti-India slogans raised at Balakot terror camps in Pakistan; video surfaces

Balakot terror camps in Pakistan have reopened

Video shows Jaish-e-Mohammad has resumed terror camps in Balakot

Terror camps in Balakot Pakistan active again. Video surfaces