The United Arab Emirates' central bank is investigating Pakistan's largest bank to ascertain if it violated anti-money- laundering and terrorism-financing laws, the regulator said on Wednesday.

The inquiry comes as Pakistan is under examination by a Paris unit of the Financial Action Task Force, a global financial watchdog, for not adequately complying with global regulations on money laundering and terrorism financing.

The FATF will decide this week whether to put Pakistan on a list of countries on non-compliant with global financial regulations, which would carry significant sanctions.

The Central Bank of UAE (CBAUE) said in a statement on Wednesday that it was in "close contact" with Pakistan's banking regulator to verify reported irregularities of a Pakistani bank in UAE.

A spokeswoman of the CBAUE confirmed to Reuters that the statement referred to Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), Pakistan's largest bank.

The bank, which is largely owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Pakistan government, had total assets of 3.1 trillion Pakistani rupees ($20.1 billion) at the end of September 2019.

The statement by the UAE banking regulator added it "will take appropriate regulatory action once we have verified the findings reported in the media to confirm if there was any violation to UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combat of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws and procedures."

In a report last week, Bloomberg said that Pakistan's banking regulator in 2018 had found irregularities in HBL's UAE operations and dealings with politically exposed clients.

HBL responded to that report by admitting that a "few weaknesses" were identified in 2017 in its UAE operations that contravened its processes and standards.

"We have transformed our control and compliance process to ensure that they are in line with international standards," an HBL statement said.

The State Bank of Pakistan, the country's banking regulator, did not immediately respond to queries by Reuters on its communication with UAE's regulator.

HBL also faced action in the United States in 2017 when the New York State Department of Financial Services said it was seeking to fine HBL up to $630 million for "grave" compliance failures on anti-money laundering and sanctions rules. The bank agreed to pay $225 million to settle enforcement action. [D-REUTERSNEWS-T004/I15592cf0945b11e783dfe5c720cc2544]

In a filing to Pakistan Stock Exchange on Monday the bank said it would complete a "voluntary closure" of its U.S. operations in coordination with the New York State banking regulator on or before March 31.

(1 USD = 154 Pakistani rupees) 
 
&nbsp;

The United Arab Emirates' central bank is investigating Pakistan's largest bank to ascertain if it violated anti-money- laundering and terrorism-financing laws, the regulator said on Wednesday.

The United Arab Emirates' central bank is investigating Pakistan's largest bank to ascertain if it violated anti-money- laundering and terrorism-financing laws, the regulator said on Wednesday. The inquiry comes as Pakistan is under examination by a Paris unit of the Financial Action Task Force, a global financial watchdog, for not adequately complying with global regulations on money laundering and terrorism financing. The FATF will decide this week whether to put Pakistan on a list of countries on non-compliant with global financial regulations, which would carry significant sanctions. The Central Bank of UAE (CBAUE) said in a statement on Wednesday that it was in "close contact" with Pakistan's banking regulator to verify reported irregularities of a Pakistani bank in UAE. A spokeswoman of the CBAUE confirmed to Reuters that the statement referred to Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), Pakistan's largest bank. The bank, which is largely owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Pakistan government, had total assets of 3.1 trillion Pakistani rupees ($20.1 billion) at the end of September 2019. The statement by the UAE banking regulator added it "will take appropriate regulatory action once we have verified the findings reported in the media to confirm if there was any violation to UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combat of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws and procedures." In a report last week, Bloomberg said that Pakistan's banking regulator in 2018 had found irregularities in HBL's UAE operations and dealings with politically exposed clients. HBL responded to that report by admitting that a "few weaknesses" were identified in 2017 in its UAE operations that contravened its processes and standards. "We have transformed our control and compliance process to ensure that they are in line with international standards," an HBL statement said. The State Bank of Pakistan, the country's banking regulator, did not immediately respond to queries by Reuters on its communication with UAE's regulator. HBL also faced action in the United States in 2017 when the New York State Department of Financial Services said it was seeking to fine HBL up to $630 million for "grave" compliance failures on anti-money laundering and sanctions rules. The bank agreed to pay $225 million to settle enforcement action. [D-REUTERSNEWS-T004/I15592cf0945b11e783dfe5c720cc2544] In a filing to Pakistan Stock Exchange on Monday the bank said it would complete a "voluntary closure" of its U.S. operations in coordination with the New York State banking regulator on or before March 31. (1 USD = 154 Pakistani rupees)

UAE regulator to investigate Pakistan bank for money laundering

Pakistan has been given four months to act against terror financing. The FATF has warned the Imran Khan government of stern action if it fails to curb the flow of money to terror groups. Wion's Palki gets you the details of what happened at the FATF meeting.

Gravitas: Pakistan to remain on the FATF grey list

Pakistan continues to be on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list on terror funding. This is after Pakistan failed to fulfil the commitment to curb terror funding. FATF has asked Pakistan to implement an action plan by June.

WION Dispatch: Pak to remain on FATF's Grey list; Fails to implement 13/27 points

Pakistan hopes to secure a four-month reprieve at a global meeting on anti-terrorism financing in Paris on Friday where a decision whether or not to blacklist the South Asian nation is expected, officials and analysts said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-major-shift-china-sends-stern-message-to-pakistan-on-fatf-281730">Financial Action Task Force</a> (FATF) has to date kept Pakistan off its blacklist but warned late last year that Islamabad could face international action if it failed to do more to combat terrorism financing.

But Pakistan, which has avoided punishment so far thanks to support from major ally China, now seems more confident it will keep clear of the blacklist after securing backing from other friendly countries including Malaysia and Turkey.

A minimum of three votes by FATF member states are required for a country to escape FATF blacklisting.

Pakistani Finance Ministry adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has "thanked the Chinese government for their massive support in the FATF meetings," a ministry statement said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-response-to-fatf-does-not-mention-dawood-ibrahim-281510">Also read: Pakistan does not mention Dawood Ibrahim in its response to FATF</a>

"China and other brotherly countries have supported Pakistan throughout the process in terms of guiding the country to improve its frameworks."

Finance Ministry and counter-terrorism officials say Pakistan has done much under pressure to comply with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-remain-on-the-fatf-grey-list-281389">FATF's 27-point agenda</a>, which included an unprecedented conviction for terrorism financing of Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group.

"You know there are two aspects which we have to deal with at this forum. One is technical and the other political," a senior finance ministry official told Reuters. "We have covered both and we expect that we will secure more concessions."

The official said Pakistan was likely to secure another four-month grace period to fulfil the FATF agenda.

"I don't see any adverse results coming out of the meeting," Pakistan's former finance czar Waqar Masood told Reuters.

If blacklisted alongside Iran and North Korea, Pakistan would face a serious financial hit at a time when its economy is confronting a balance of payment crisis.

The most crucial aspect of compliance with FATF in Pakistan's case would be steps to effectively prevent militant groups from openly operating and raising funds, as the LeT has done from Islamic charities.

The FATF has pushed Pakistan to adequately identify, assess and understand risks associated with jihadist groups present in the country such as LeT, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Jamat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

Pakistan has long been accused of nurturing and supporting militant groups like the LeT for use as proxies to project power in the South Asian region particularly in Afghanistan and India. Islamabad denies such accusations.

In 2018 the FATF placed Pakistan on a so-called "grey list" of countries with inadequate controls over terrorism financing.

Pakistan hopes to secure a four-month reprieve at a global meeting on anti-terrorism financing in Paris on Friday where a decision whether or not to blacklist the South Asian nation is expected, officials and analysts said.

Pakistan hopes to secure a four-month reprieve at a global meeting on anti-terrorism financing in Paris on Friday where a decision whether or not to blacklist the South Asian nation is expected, officials and analysts said. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has to date kept Pakistan off its blacklist but warned late last year that Islamabad could face international action if it failed to do more to combat terrorism financing. But Pakistan, which has avoided punishment so far thanks to support from major ally China, now seems more confident it will keep clear of the blacklist after securing backing from other friendly countries including Malaysia and Turkey. A minimum of three votes by FATF member states are required for a country to escape FATF blacklisting. Pakistani Finance Ministry adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has "thanked the Chinese government for their massive support in the FATF meetings," a ministry statement said. Also read: Pakistan does not mention Dawood Ibrahim in its response to FATF "China and other brotherly countries have supported Pakistan throughout the process in terms of guiding the country to improve its frameworks." Finance Ministry and counter-terrorism officials say Pakistan has done much under pressure to comply with FATF's 27-point agenda, which included an unprecedented conviction for terrorism financing of Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group. "You know there are two aspects which we have to deal with at this forum. One is technical and the other political," a senior finance ministry official told Reuters. "We have covered both and we expect that we will secure more concessions." The official said Pakistan was likely to secure another four-month grace period to fulfil the FATF agenda. "I don't see any adverse results coming out of the meeting," Pakistan's former finance czar Waqar Masood told Reuters. If blacklisted alongside Iran and North Korea, Pakistan would face a serious financial hit at a time when its economy is confronting a balance of payment crisis. The most crucial aspect of compliance with FATF in Pakistan's case would be steps to effectively prevent militant groups from openly operating and raising funds, as the LeT has done from Islamic charities. The FATF has pushed Pakistan to adequately identify, assess and understand risks associated with jihadist groups present in the country such as LeT, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Jamat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Pakistan has long been accused of nurturing and supporting militant groups like the LeT for use as proxies to project power in the South Asian region particularly in Afghanistan and India. Islamabad denies such accusations. In 2018 the FATF placed Pakistan on a so-called "grey list" of countries with inadequate controls over terrorism financing.

Pakistan expects reprieve at global anti-terror financing meeting

Sources: Pakistan remain on FATF grey list

Pakistan has abandoned its citizens in China. Amid the coronavirus outbreak - Pakistani citizens are unable to return home. Is Imran Khan sacrificing the youth for Chinese loans? Palki Sharma gets you the WION Edit.

WION Edit: Is Pakistan sacrificing students for Chinese loans?

Mohammad Iqbal Awan's daughter Fiza is still stuck in China. Awan met with Pakistan's health minister to request for his daughter's evacuation. He refused. Awan and his daughter reached out to WION to appeal for help. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: Wuhan coronavirus, an appeal from a helpless family in Pakistan

More than 1000 Pakistani citizens still remain stranded in China. Pakistan has refused to evacuate its citizens after the coronavirus outbreak. Helpless parents of stranded citizens have now launched a protest against Imran Khan. WION's Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Pakistanis stranded in China, families plead for help

Pakistan has refused to evacuate its citizens from China. Scared by the coronavirus outbreak, the Pakistani citizens have issued an appeal for help. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the voices that Imran Khan has chosen to ignore.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus, the voices of stranded Pakistani citizens

In an unprecedented move, China joined India to send a message to Pakistan at the FATF. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how Islamabad will remain under global scrutiny for terror financing.

Gravitas: Pakistan on FATF grey list, China backs India

A Chinese diplomat on Thursday backed Pakistan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/get-our-children-from-china-within-three-days-else-well-hold-demonstration-angry-parents-issue-ultimatum-to-pak-govt-281865">decision not to evacuate Pakistani students </a>from Wuhan city a day after the angry parents issued an ultimatum to the country's government of holding a demonstration if they bring their children back within three days.

"If such large number of students come back, this will cost huge health operations for the Pakistani government. If the isolation facilities are not ready, this can cause another outbreak of this virus in Pakistan," news agency Reuters quoted Li Bijian, Consul General of China in Karachi, as saying.

"So that's why I say this decision of not evacuating the students from the epicentre is difficult but a very good decision."

Li also said that China had better facilities for the students and the government was providing masks and suits to protect them.

"We treat them as our own children," Li said.

More than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/students-welfare-better-off-in-china-pak-minister-tells-angry-parents-demanding-evacuation-from-wuhan-281668">one thousand of the Pakistani students are stuck in China</a> where the coronavirus outbreak had killed over 2,000 and infected more than 75,000. The Imran Khan government has failed to pay heed to their parents' demands as it ruled out bringing back more children stuck in Hubei province and Wuhan.

On Wednesday, angry parents confronted government ministers at a meeting, demanding their children be evacuated.

"We will continue our protest until our children are brought back. We have no other demand. We only need our children back who are dangling between life and death. They are falling victim to depression," said father of a final year student trapped in Hubei which is under lockdown.

"We have no other demand but one: that our children should be brought back," said another parent.

Pakistan and China are very close allies. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called Chinese President Xi Jinping to express Pakistan's solidarity with the Chinese leadership and people, a statement issued by the prime minister's office said.

A Chinese diplomat on Thursday backed Pakistan's decision not to evacuate Pakistani students from Wuhan city a day after the angry parents issued an ultimatum to the country's government of holding a demonstration if they bring their children back within three days.

A Chinese diplomat on Thursday backed Pakistan's decision not to evacuate Pakistani students from Wuhan city a day after the angry parents issued an ultimatum to the country's government of holding a demonstration if they bring their children back within three days. "If such large number of students come back, this will cost huge health operations for the Pakistani government. If the isolation facilities are not ready, this can cause another outbreak of this virus in Pakistan," news agency Reuters quoted Li Bijian, Consul General of China in Karachi, as saying. "So that's why I say this decision of not evacuating the students from the epicentre is difficult but a very good decision." Li also said that China had better facilities for the students and the government was providing masks and suits to protect them. "We treat them as our own children," Li said. More than one thousand of the Pakistani students are stuck in China where the coronavirus outbreak had killed over 2,000 and infected more than 75,000. The Imran Khan government has failed to pay heed to their parents' demands as it ruled out bringing back more children stuck in Hubei province and Wuhan. On Wednesday, angry parents confronted government ministers at a meeting, demanding their children be evacuated. "We will continue our protest until our children are brought back. We have no other demand. We only need our children back who are dangling between life and death. They are falling victim to depression," said father of a final year student trapped in Hubei which is under lockdown. "We have no other demand but one: that our children should be brought back," said another parent. Pakistan and China are very close allies. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called Chinese President Xi Jinping to express Pakistan's solidarity with the Chinese leadership and people, a statement issued by the prime minister's office said.

'May cause another outbreak': China backs Pakistan's decision not to evacuate students

Pakistan refuses to evacuate stranded students. Families of stranded students are on protest. Pakistan government chooses politics over students lives. Moreover Pak Foreign Minister, Qureshi skips briefing & did not meet families of stranded students.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Over 1000 Pakistan students stuck in Wuhan

The fate of the stranded Pakistan nationals in China continues to be in question as country's minister refused to evacuate them from Wuhan city, the epicentre of coronavirus.

The fate of the stranded Pakistan nationals in China continues to be in question as country's minister refused to evacuate them from Wuhan city, the epicentre of coronavirus. More than one thousand of the Pakistani students are stuck in China and Imran Khan government has failed to pay heed to their parents' demands. Now the angry parents have given an ultimatum to the Imran Khan government. "If you fail to get our children repatriated within the next three days, we will hold demonstrations in front of your ministerial offices and the Embassy of China," the worried parents told the health minister Zafar Mirza and government advisor at the public meeting. × "It is very convenient for Zafar to appear on television and state that the government is acting in the larger interest of the country and the world; we are only concerned about the welfare of our children," one parent said. More than 1,000 Pakistan students continue to remain stranded in Wuhan city as coronavirus killed over 2,000 people in China and infected over 74,000. However, despite all countries making efforts to evacuate its citizens from China, Pakistan has failed to address the matter. Over 400 parents travelled from around the country to attend a meeting at a school in Islamabad and around 100 protested with placards outside after the meeting, blocking a nearby road. Protests in the larger cities of Lahore and Karachi were held last week. Slogans like 'shame on the government', 'bring our kids back', were raised during the meeting Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi failed to attend after promising that he would. In the meeting, parents confronted the country's health minister and government advisor briefed parents for the first time. Health Minister Zafar Mirza and Minister for Overseas Citizens Zulfiqar Bukhari told the parents that the students' welfare was better off in China and Pakistan did not have adequate facilities to quarantine them if they returned. But hundreds interrupted the briefing, with some seizing microphones to say they did not want to listen to officials until their children were returned and dozens flooding the stage to crowd around the ministers.

Get our children from China within three-days, else we'll hold demonstration: Angry parents issue ultimatum to Pak govt

Hundreds of Pakistani students have been struck in Wuhan which is the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak. However, Pakistan has refused to evacuate them. Parents have been appealing to the Pakistani government to get their children back home. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Pakistan refused to evacuate students from Wuhan, Students speak through WION

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's former wife Jemima Goldsmith posted a typical Lollywood movie-style poster on social media which depicted Khan's current wife a magician.

The image which has now been deleted was posted on Twitter with a caption, "Who doesn't love a Lollywood poster".

"Spotted today by a friend in Lahore," she also wrote.

<img alt="Jemima Khan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1aa1b981-f687-4bf4-bdb6-97782cb19648" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jemima%20Khan.JPG" />

"PS no disrespect intended. Like most of you, I just found it funny. (Plus I am a genuine fan of Pakistani film posters, street art and truck art)," wrote Jemima Khan in the following tweet.

The tweet received mixed reactions from netizens as some laughed with the Jemima; some considered it demeaning.

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Uturn, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jemima_Khan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jemima_Khan</a> deletes “Black Magic” tweets <a href="https://t.co/KJ5kxa4KHb">pic.twitter.com/KJ5kxa4KHb</a>
— Rashid Hashmi (@RashidHashmis) <a href="https://twitter.com/RashidHashmis/status/1230115839996841984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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You are so witty <a href="https://twitter.com/Jemima_Khan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jemima_Khan</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> will be like ... <a href="https://t.co/UjuAAfY7Jv">pic.twitter.com/UjuAAfY7Jv</a>
— Abdul Wahab (@MightyShahpar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MightyShahpar/status/1229621325070831618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Some tweets go down in history as once-in-a-lifetime-moment. 
 
Never has anyone seen before a former wife of a sitting prime minister jabbing his current (lawful?) wife online. 
 
Btw <a href="https://twitter.com/Jemima_Khan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jemima_Khan</a> there was nothing lollywood about this poster - it's purely a Bani Galawood thingi! <a href="https://t.co/98yK1YDPVO">https://t.co/98yK1YDPVO</a> <a href="https://t.co/4oBmgngGPo">pic.twitter.com/4oBmgngGPo</a>
— Mona S. 🇵🇰 🇱🇾 (@ISpeakHenceIAm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISpeakHenceIAm/status/1230082553383653376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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This isn't funny. The poster is demeaning to First Lady.
— BibliovertAfridi (@LadyBibliovert) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyBibliovert/status/1229525938141974528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Jemima and Imran had gotten married in Paris in 1995. They were married for nine years and had two sons together before divorcing in 2004.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's former wife Jemima Goldsmith posted a typical Lollywood movie-style poster on social media which depicted Khan's current wife a magician.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's former wife Jemima Goldsmith posted a typical Lollywood movie-style poster on social media which depicted Khan's current wife a magician. The image which has now been deleted was posted on Twitter with a caption, "Who doesn't love a Lollywood poster". "Spotted today by a friend in Lahore," she also wrote. "PS no disrespect intended. Like most of you, I just found it funny. (Plus I am a genuine fan of Pakistani film posters, street art and truck art)," wrote Jemima Khan in the following tweet. The tweet received mixed reactions from netizens as some laughed with the Jemima; some considered it demeaning. Uturn, @Jemima_Khan deletes “Black Magic” tweets pic.twitter.com/KJ5kxa4KHb — Rashid Hashmi (@RashidHashmis) February 19, 2020 × You are so witty @Jemima_Khan and @ImranKhanPTI will be like ... pic.twitter.com/UjuAAfY7Jv — Abdul Wahab (@MightyShahpar) February 18, 2020 × Some tweets go down in history as once-in-a-lifetime-moment. Never has anyone seen before a former wife of a sitting prime minister jabbing his current (lawful?) wife online. Btw @Jemima_Khan there was nothing lollywood about this poster - it's purely a Bani Galawood thingi! https://t.co/98yK1YDPVO pic.twitter.com/4oBmgngGPo — Mona S. 🇵🇰 🇱🇾 (@ISpeakHenceIAm) February 19, 2020 × This isn't funny. The poster is demeaning to First Lady. — BibliovertAfridi (@LadyBibliovert) February 17, 2020 × Jemima and Imran had gotten married in Paris in 1995. They were married for nine years and had two sons together before divorcing in 2004.

Pakistan: Imran Khan's ex wife tweets poster depicting his current wife as magician

The situation in Pakistan over the toxic gas leak continues to worsen. The Pakistan authorities blamed a cargo ship named Hercules containing soybean of emitting hydrogen sulfide. The death toll from gas leak raised to 14. People are protesting against government response, mismanagement, flip-flops and blame games.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan blames cargo ship for gas leak

Pakistan blames cargo ship for gas leak

Aeroallergen from soybean dust was found in blood samples collected from people who died after the suspected gas leakage in Pakistan's city Keamari. Compiled by the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at Karachi University, the report was released after a blood analysis was conducted on samples obtained from the deceased.

Ship with soybean identified as source in Karachi Gas Leak

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has unmasked the conspiracy of Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to project the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack as an act of Hindu terrorism. In his book 'Let Me Say It Now', the former top cop has written about the plan of the ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Today Tonight: Pak's aim to peg 26/11 as 'Hindu Terror'

In Pakistan, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres made an offer to mediate a peace agreement between India and Pakistan. From another corner of the world, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had a message for Guterres.

Gravitas: India rebuffs UN Chief on Kashmir

A toxic gas leak in Karachi has killed five people. Instead of tackling the growing crises at home, Imran Khan is prioritising his Kashmir agenda.

Gravitas: Gas leak kills five in Pakistan's Karachi

Fighting locusts is the biggest problem emerging in the horn of Africa. The swelling numbers of locusts have threatened a food emergency in some of the African countries. But, the danger extends beyond Africa as several reports suggest that west and southwest Asia could be the next target.

The reports also say that even India and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-consider-importing-insecticides-from-india-to-fight-locusts-281375"> Pakistan will not be spared from the growing threat of locust</a>s.

As locusts from Africa are headed to Pakistan and as the millions of inch-long pests are on their way to wage war on Pakistani crops, Islamabad has sought to import chemicals from India to fight them.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-desert-locust-swarms-in-ethiopia-kenya-and-somalia-threaten-to-ravage-east-africa-275577">In pics: Desert Locust swarms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia threaten to ravage East Africa</a>

Earlier this month, Pakistan also declared a national emergency over locusts after it destroyed the country's maize, cotton, wheat and other crops.

Some 40 to 80 million locusts are capable of wiping out food for 35,000 people.

Meanwhile, the Africa continent is also suffering from its worst locust outbreak in decades. These migratory pests have devastated large tracts of croplands in the north and central Africa.

What started with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, it has now spread to Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan; and as per reports, a food emergency looms over these countries.

Uganda's Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda recently held an emergency meeting&nbsp;in which the leaders discussed a strategy to tackle the desert locusts.&nbsp;

Ugandan officials are planning to deploy 2,000 soldiers and send supply equipment to tackle the invasion by desert locusts.

The state will also provide manual and motorised spray pumps to fight the locusts. The government is also considering aerial spraying of the locusts.

Earlier, the United Nations had also sounded a food alarm.

By June, the locust population is set to grow 500 times spreading to West Asia as well. The locust population is presently breeding in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It further expected to spread to Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea.

In southwest Asia, southern coast in Iran is the breeding ground.

Croplands in Pakistan's Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan will be the worst affected while, the bordering Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan could also face the brunt. 
&nbsp; 
Many Asian and African countries have begun to prepare in advance.

The U.N. estimates that a locust control plan will cost an estimated 76 million dollars; what is available so far is just 20 million dollars.

A disaster is waiting to happen if nothing is done by next month.

Fighting locusts is the biggest problem emerging in the horn of Africa. The swelling numbers of locusts have threatened a food emergency in some of the African countries.

Fighting locusts is the biggest problem emerging in the horn of Africa. The swelling numbers of locusts have threatened a food emergency in some of the African countries. But, the danger extends beyond Africa as several reports suggest that west and southwest Asia could be the next target. The reports also say that even India and Pakistan will not be spared from the growing threat of locusts. As locusts from Africa are headed to Pakistan and as the millions of inch-long pests are on their way to wage war on Pakistani crops, Islamabad has sought to import chemicals from India to fight them. In pics: Desert Locust swarms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia threaten to ravage East Africa Earlier this month, Pakistan also declared a national emergency over locusts after it destroyed the country's maize, cotton, wheat and other crops. Some 40 to 80 million locusts are capable of wiping out food for 35,000 people. Meanwhile, the Africa continent is also suffering from its worst locust outbreak in decades. These migratory pests have devastated large tracts of croplands in the north and central Africa. What started with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, it has now spread to Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan; and as per reports, a food emergency looms over these countries. Uganda's Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda recently held an emergency meeting in which the leaders discussed a strategy to tackle the desert locusts. Ugandan officials are planning to deploy 2,000 soldiers and send supply equipment to tackle the invasion by desert locusts. The state will also provide manual and motorised spray pumps to fight the locusts. The government is also considering aerial spraying of the locusts. Earlier, the United Nations had also sounded a food alarm. By June, the locust population is set to grow 500 times spreading to West Asia as well. The locust population is presently breeding in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It further expected to spread to Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea. In southwest Asia, southern coast in Iran is the breeding ground. Croplands in Pakistan's Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan will be the worst affected while, the bordering Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan could also face the brunt. Many Asian and African countries have begun to prepare in advance. The U.N. estimates that a locust control plan will cost an estimated 76 million dollars; what is available so far is just 20 million dollars. A disaster is waiting to happen if nothing is done by next month.

Uganda deploys army, Pakistan imports insecticides from India as countries brace for locust attacks

A mysterious toxic gas continues to spread in Pakistan's Karachi. Three more people have died after inhaling the gas and more than a hundred have been hospitalized. The Sindh CM has ordered the evacuation of people from the affected areas. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: PSO shuts down oil supply facility

Pakistan on Monday claimed Jaishe-e-Mohammed terrorist Masood Azhar has gone missing. However, intel inputs have revealed Masood Azhar has been taken to a secure location by the Pakistan Army and ISI. Masood Azhar and his family have been taken to a safe house in Bahawalpur.

WION Dispatch: Masood Azhar in Bahawalpur

A high-profile local Taliban figure who announced and justified the 2012 attack on teenage Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has escaped detention, Pakistan's interior minister confirmed a few days after the militant announced his breakout on social media.

A high-profile local Taliban figure who announced and justified the 2012 attack on teenage Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has escaped detention, Pakistan's interior minister confirmed a few days after the militant announced his breakout on social media. Former Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, who claimed responsibility on behalf of his group for scores of Taliban attacks, proclaimed his escape on Twitter and then in an audio message sent to Pakistani media earlier this month. The Pakistani military, which had kept Ehsan in detention for three years, has declined to comment but, asked by reporters about the report, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah, said: "That is correct, that is correct." Also Read: Taliban leader Ehsanullah Ehsan escapes Pakistan's jail Shah, a retired brigadier general, added that "you will hear good news" in response to questions about whether they had progressed in hunting down Ehsan. Ehsan later told reporters that he had already left Pakistan and arrived in Turkey together with his wife and children. He said he had surrendered to the army under a deal, and escaped only after the agreement was not honoured. He said he escaped on January 11 but did not clarify how he had broken out of a maximum-security military prison and made his way to another country. Watch: Pakistan Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan Pakistani analysts and experts on militant Islam have voiced doubt about Ehsan's claim to have escaped. They have speculated that he may have been converted into an asset by the state and that reports he was on the run could be a ruse to plant him back in the Islamist militant scene for use as an informant. After Ehsan's surrender in 2017, local Geo News TV aired an interview he gave in custody in which he asserted that the intelligence services of Pakistan's arch-rival, India, had been funding and arming Pakistani Taliban fighters. The Pakistan army pledged to put Ehsan on trial but has not done so. Taliban attacks in Pakistan have declined in recent months since the army carried out several operations against sanctuaries used by the Islamist militant groups in lawless districts along the border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan confirms escape of Taliban leader who justified Malala shooting

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-how-karachis-fatal-gas-leak-exposes-a-deepening-crisis-281235">mysterious toxic gas</a> has killed at least 14 people and sickened several others in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police said on Tuesday.

Authorities were alerted to the incident when the residents of Karachi's Keamari area began rushing to nearby hospitals with severe breathing problems on Sunday night.

The source of a toxic gas leak remained unclear on Tuesday. Officials said 14 people have been killed so far, Dawn newspaper reported.

Ziauddin Hospital spokesperson Amir Shehzad told the newspaper that nine deaths took place at the hospital's Keamari Campus over the course of the past two days.

According to the police, two other deaths were reported at the Kutiyana Hospital.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/breaking-news-update-at-least-six-dead-in-gas-leak-in-Karachi">At least six dead in gas leak in Karachi; Pakistan navy launches investigation</a>

Dozens of others have been hospitalised in various medical facilities across the city.

"We are still clueless about the possible cause of the incident," Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said.

Residents of the area protested in Keamari's Jackson Market, demanding answers from authorities on the deaths that have been caused from the mysterious gas.

Memon said that senior police officers in coordination with the doctors are trying to determine the exact nature of the incident.

Meanwhile, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani said that a ship that was offloading soybean or a similar substance could be the probable cause of the toxic gas.

"When offloading from this ship is halted, the smell too diminishes," he reasoned.

Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi rubbished the report that it was caused by a soybean ship as the crew and the vessel were fine.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered the Commissioner of Karachi police to submit a report on the matter on a priority basis, ARY News reported.

A mysterious toxic gas has killed at least 14 people and sickened several others in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police said on Tuesday. Authorities were alerted to the incident when the residents of Karachi's Keamari area began rushing to nearby hospitals with severe breathing problems on Sunday night.

A mysterious toxic gas has killed at least 14 people and sickened several others in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police said on Tuesday. Authorities were alerted to the incident when the residents of Karachi's Keamari area began rushing to nearby hospitals with severe breathing problems on Sunday night. The source of a toxic gas leak remained unclear on Tuesday. Officials said 14 people have been killed so far, Dawn newspaper reported. Ziauddin Hospital spokesperson Amir Shehzad told the newspaper that nine deaths took place at the hospital's Keamari Campus over the course of the past two days. According to the police, two other deaths were reported at the Kutiyana Hospital. Also read: At least six dead in gas leak in Karachi; Pakistan navy launches investigation Dozens of others have been hospitalised in various medical facilities across the city. "We are still clueless about the possible cause of the incident," Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said. Residents of the area protested in Keamari's Jackson Market, demanding answers from authorities on the deaths that have been caused from the mysterious gas. Memon said that senior police officers in coordination with the doctors are trying to determine the exact nature of the incident. Meanwhile, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani said that a ship that was offloading soybean or a similar substance could be the probable cause of the toxic gas. "When offloading from this ship is halted, the smell too diminishes," he reasoned. Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi rubbished the report that it was caused by a soybean ship as the crew and the vessel were fine. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered the Commissioner of Karachi police to submit a report on the matter on a priority basis, ARY News reported.

Pakistan: Toxic gas kills 14 people in Karachi; source of leak remains unclear

At least seven people died and more than 100 hospitalised after a gas leaked in Pakistan's port city of Karachi late on Sunday. It has been more than 24 hours and still, the cause of the leak remains unknown.

So why this leak is a significant challenge not just for Pakistan, but globally as well. Let's understand the developments.&nbsp;

Watch:

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Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, is Pakistan's largest city and one of the main commercial region.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/breaking-news-update-at-least-six-dead-in-gas-leak-in-Karachi">At least six dead in gas leak in Karachi; Pakistan navy launches investigation</a>

The leak is extremely close to Pakistan's nuclear facility and occurred at Keamari, a major tourist spot. In 2011, a seven-hour&nbsp;emergency was declared at the nuclear power plant in Karachi after a gas leak, which triggered massive fears. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Pakistan's nuclear installations also have a patchy track record, despite the country making contrary claims in an attempt to silence global concerns. In 2014, Pakistan's interior minister issued a policy paper, a classified document, that claimed that the terrorist network in the country is close to nuclear facilities in Pakistan's Punjab.&nbsp;

Reports have also said that the Pakistan Army has full control over the country's nuclear arms. Also, the Pakistan Army's support to terror organisations is well-known. So, terrorists based in Pakistan getting access to nuclear weapons remain a threat.

And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's silence in this latest gas leak raises not just regional but global concerns.&nbsp;

At least seven people died and more than 100 hospitalised after a gas leaked in Pakistan's port city of Karachi late on Sunday. It has been more than 24 hours and still, the cause of the leak remains unknown.

At least seven people died and more than 100 hospitalised after a gas leaked in Pakistan's port city of Karachi late on Sunday. It has been more than 24 hours and still, the cause of the leak remains unknown. So why this leak is a significant challenge not just for Pakistan, but globally as well. Let's understand the developments. Watch: Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, is Pakistan's largest city and one of the main commercial region. Also read: At least six dead in gas leak in Karachi; Pakistan navy launches investigation The leak is extremely close to Pakistan's nuclear facility and occurred at Keamari, a major tourist spot. In 2011, a seven-hour emergency was declared at the nuclear power plant in Karachi after a gas leak, which triggered massive fears. Pakistan's nuclear installations also have a patchy track record, despite the country making contrary claims in an attempt to silence global concerns. In 2014, Pakistan's interior minister issued a policy paper, a classified document, that claimed that the terrorist network in the country is close to nuclear facilities in Pakistan's Punjab. Reports have also said that the Pakistan Army has full control over the country's nuclear arms. Also, the Pakistan Army's support to terror organisations is well-known. So, terrorists based in Pakistan getting access to nuclear weapons remain a threat. And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's silence in this latest gas leak raises not just regional but global concerns.

Pakistan: How Karachi's fatal gas leak exposes a deepening crisis

According to the sources, Masood Azhar and his famliy is not missing but kept safe in Pakistan. Ahead of the crucial meeting with terror watchdog FATF, Pakistan on Monday claimed Jaishe-e-Mohammed terrorist has gone missing. Intel inputs have revealed Masood Azhar has been taken to a secure location by the Pakistan Army and ISI.

Azhar is not missing, safe at Jaish's house in Paksitan

Indian authorities have detained a Hong Kong-bound vessel that was bound to sail to Port Qasim in Karachi in Pakistan. The ship has been detained for incorrectly declaring an autoclave, which can be used in the launch process of ballistic missiles as an industrial dryer.

Karachi-bound ship detained in Gujarat’s Kandla Port, carrying ballistic missile cargo

In a massive development, New Delhi intercepted a Pakistan-bound vessel at Gujarat's Kandla Port on February 3. The Indian authorities successfully tracked the suspicious cargo that later could be used in an irresponsible manner. So why the Karachi-bound vessel raises concerns of Pakistan's growing nuclear assertiveness? Here are some concerning evidence that triggers international scrutiny.

Watch: 

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&nbsp;

Industrial dryer?

The vessel that is being docked at the port for more than two weeks has been probed by a team of scientists from India's Defence and Research Development (DRDO). And the initial findings suggest alarming revelations. The crewmembers earlier declared the vessel as an industrial dryer.

However, it is an autoclave. So what exactly is an autoclave? It's a machine used to launch ballistic missiles and for scientific and military purposes. The DRDO team says that the autoclave in question here is used to make the composite lining for solid-fuel ballistic missiles.&nbsp; In simpler language, it is a material strong enough to survive the impact of a missile's booster.

Why the route of the vessel raises suspicions?

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Several reports have claimed that the name of the vessel is Da Cui Yun and bears a Hong Kong flag. And it started its journey from the Port of Jiangyin in eastern China. We checked the most popular route between this port and the port of Kandla where it was detained. And it was found that the route was "out of range".

Why docking at Karachi raises eyebrows?

The vessel was seized at Port of Kandla, which is just 350 km away from Karachi, its main destination. Karachi is the home to SUPARCO, Pakistan ballistic missile programme's agency.

Pakistan and China nexus

Pakistan and China's nuclear bonhomie dates back to 1989 when Islamabad signed a deal with Beijing to purchase 34 solid-fuel M-11 ballistic missiles, which form the core of Pak's ballistic missile capability.

Today, a second high-level team from DRDO went to Kandla to examine the cargo. The Indian authorities have still not come out with the details. But there are some crucial questions not just from India but from world that seeks answers from Pakistan.

&nbsp;

In a massive development, New Delhi intercepted a Pakistan-bound vessel at Gujarat's Kandla Port on February 3. The Indian authorities successfully tracked the suspicious cargo that later could be used in an irresponsible manner.

In a massive development, New Delhi intercepted a Pakistan-bound vessel at Gujarat's Kandla Port on February 3. The Indian authorities successfully tracked the suspicious cargo that later could be used in an irresponsible manner. So why the Karachi-bound vessel raises concerns of Pakistan's growing nuclear assertiveness? Here are some concerning evidence that triggers international scrutiny. Watch: Industrial dryer? The vessel that is being docked at the port for more than two weeks has been probed by a team of scientists from India's Defence and Research Development (DRDO). And the initial findings suggest alarming revelations. The crewmembers earlier declared the vessel as an industrial dryer. However, it is an autoclave. So what exactly is an autoclave? It's a machine used to launch ballistic missiles and for scientific and military purposes. The DRDO team says that the autoclave in question here is used to make the composite lining for solid-fuel ballistic missiles. In simpler language, it is a material strong enough to survive the impact of a missile's booster. Why the route of the vessel raises suspicions? Several reports have claimed that the name of the vessel is Da Cui Yun and bears a Hong Kong flag. And it started its journey from the Port of Jiangyin in eastern China. We checked the most popular route between this port and the port of Kandla where it was detained. And it was found that the route was "out of range". Why docking at Karachi raises eyebrows? The vessel was seized at Port of Kandla, which is just 350 km away from Karachi, its main destination. Karachi is the home to SUPARCO, Pakistan ballistic missile programme's agency. Pakistan and China nexus Pakistan and China's nuclear bonhomie dates back to 1989 when Islamabad signed a deal with Beijing to purchase 34 solid-fuel M-11 ballistic missiles, which form the core of Pak's ballistic missile capability. Today, a second high-level team from DRDO went to Kandla to examine the cargo. The Indian authorities have still not come out with the details. But there are some crucial questions not just from India but from world that seeks answers from Pakistan.

EXPLAINED: Why Pakistan-bound ship raises key concerns

In 2018, 69 million people in Pakistan were poor. Pakistan has the worst infant mortality rate in the world. Its economy is in the doldrums. But Imran Khan has chosen to prioritise the Kashmir issue.

WION Edit: Time for a global vote of no confidence against Imran Khan?

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