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Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India, a leading US daily has said, warning that the threat of nuclear war between the two nations remains as a long-term solution to the conflict is unlikely without international pressure.&nbsp;

The New York Times in an Op-ed titled 'This Is Where a Nuclear Exchange Is Most Likely. (It's Not North Korea.)' said the current focus on North Korea's growing arsenal obscures the fact that the most likely trigger for a nuclear exchange could be the conflict between India and Pakistan.&nbsp;

The paper said the relative calm after last week's confrontation between the two nations is not a solution.&nbsp;

"As long as India and Pakistan refuse to deal with their core dispute the future of Kashmir they face unpredictable, possibly terrifying, consequences," it said.&nbsp;

The current crisis started on February 14, when a suicide bomber killed at least 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama. Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Muhammed took responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;

While the JeM is on America's list of terrorist organisations and is formally banned in Pakistan, the group has been protected and armed by the Pakistani intelligence service, the paper said.

India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.

The situation could have easily escalated, given that the two countries have fought three wars over 70 years, maintain a near-constant state of military readiness along their border and have little formal government-to-government dialogue.&nbsp;

The next confrontation might not end so calmly, the paper said.

The two countries have crossed into dangerous territory, with India attacking Pakistan and engaging in aerial duels. The next confrontation, or the one after that, could be far more unthinkable, it said.

Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India.&nbsp;

Pakistani authorities said they detained 121 members of various armed groups, including a brother of Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Muhammrd, and planned to seize assets of militants on the United Nations terrorist list.&nbsp;

But Pakistan has rarely followed through on such promises, the paper said.

Without international pressure, a long-term solution is unlikely, and the threat of nuclear war remains.

China is a major ally and lender to Pakistan, and if it stopped blocking moves in the United Nations Security Council to add Azhar to the United Nations terrorist list, it would signal to Pakistan that it has to curb the militant groups, the daily said.

Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India, a leading US daily has said, warning that the threat of nuclear war between the two nations remains as a long-term solution to the conflict is unlikely without international pressure.

Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India, a leading US daily has said, warning that the threat of nuclear war between the two nations remains as a long-term solution to the conflict is unlikely without international pressure. The New York Times in an Op-ed titled 'This Is Where a Nuclear Exchange Is Most Likely. (It's Not North Korea.)' said the current focus on North Korea's growing arsenal obscures the fact that the most likely trigger for a nuclear exchange could be the conflict between India and Pakistan. The paper said the relative calm after last week's confrontation between the two nations is not a solution. "As long as India and Pakistan refuse to deal with their core dispute the future of Kashmir they face unpredictable, possibly terrifying, consequences," it said. The current crisis started on February 14, when a suicide bomber killed at least 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama. Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Muhammed took responsibility for the attack. While the JeM is on America's list of terrorist organisations and is formally banned in Pakistan, the group has been protected and armed by the Pakistani intelligence service, the paper said. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. The situation could have easily escalated, given that the two countries have fought three wars over 70 years, maintain a near-constant state of military readiness along their border and have little formal government-to-government dialogue. The next confrontation might not end so calmly, the paper said. The two countries have crossed into dangerous territory, with India attacking Pakistan and engaging in aerial duels. The next confrontation, or the one after that, could be far more unthinkable, it said. Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India. Pakistani authorities said they detained 121 members of various armed groups, including a brother of Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Muhammrd, and planned to seize assets of militants on the United Nations terrorist list. But Pakistan has rarely followed through on such promises, the paper said. Without international pressure, a long-term solution is unlikely, and the threat of nuclear war remains. China is a major ally and lender to Pakistan, and if it stopped blocking moves in the United Nations Security Council to add Azhar to the United Nations terrorist list, it would signal to Pakistan that it has to curb the militant groups, the daily said.

Pakistan never seriously cracked down militant groups that attack India: US daily

Pakistan intelligence used Jaish-e-Mohammed to carry out attacks in India: Pervez Musharraf

China encourages Pakistan's efforts to combat terror

India warns Pakistan of targeting civilian areas in ceasefire violation

Saudi's top diplomat met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and delivered a "special message" from powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, amid global efforts to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions, according to media reports.

Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir called on Prime Minister Khan at his office where the two discussed the ongoing Indo-Pak tensions and matters of regional and bilateral interest, Geo TV reported.

Jubeir conveyed him a special message of the crown prince, it added.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PM's adviser on trade, secretary foreign affairs and other higher officials were present during the meeting.

Ahead of his meeting with Khan, Jubeir met Qureshi and discussed Pakistan's recent tensions with India, regional security and bilateral relations.

The Saudi diplomat assured Qureshi of his country's support towards solving the issues with India in a peaceful manner.

According to Pakistan Foreign Office, Jubeir will also meet Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Jubeir was earlier supposed to visit Pakistan on March 1 but it was delayed due to heightened tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.

India launched a counter-terror operation in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 and captured its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was handed over to India on March 1.

Countries like the US, the UK, China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were involved in easing tensions between India and Pakistan.

While announcing the Saudi minister's visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi Wednesday said that the Saudi envoy is coming to Pakistan with a "special message" from Crown Prince Mohammad.

Jubeir's visit comes after the crown prince stand-alone visits to Pakistan and India soon after the Pulwama terror attack.

Saudi's top diplomat met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and delivered a "special message" from powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, amid global efforts to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions, according to media reports.

Saudi's top diplomat met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and delivered a "special message" from powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, amid global efforts to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions, according to media reports. Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir called on Prime Minister Khan at his office where the two discussed the ongoing Indo-Pak tensions and matters of regional and bilateral interest, Geo TV reported. Jubeir conveyed him a special message of the crown prince, it added. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PM's adviser on trade, secretary foreign affairs and other higher officials were present during the meeting. Ahead of his meeting with Khan, Jubeir met Qureshi and discussed Pakistan's recent tensions with India, regional security and bilateral relations. The Saudi diplomat assured Qureshi of his country's support towards solving the issues with India in a peaceful manner. According to Pakistan Foreign Office, Jubeir will also meet Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Jubeir was earlier supposed to visit Pakistan on March 1 but it was delayed due to heightened tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 and captured its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was handed over to India on March 1. Countries like the US, the UK, China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were involved in easing tensions between India and Pakistan. While announcing the Saudi minister's visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi Wednesday said that the Saudi envoy is coming to Pakistan with a "special message" from Crown Prince Mohammad. Jubeir's visit comes after the crown prince stand-alone visits to Pakistan and India soon after the Pulwama terror attack.

Saudi envoy meets PM Imran Khan amid Indo-Pak tensions, conveys Crown Prince's special message 

Despite Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's request to remove his name, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-rejects-hafiz-saeeds-plea-for-removal-from-list-of-banned-terrorists-govt-sources-201780">United Nations has continued the listing</a> of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind as an international terrorist.

But what stands out is that Islamabad is blocking UN officials to visit Pakistan to "interview" Saeed regarding the delisting process.

Excerpts were seen by WION in a UN document on his delisting process clearly mentions UN ombudsman holding Pakistan responsible for blocking visa.&nbsp;

The UN Ombudsman said, "On October 11, I was informed by a representative from the permanent mission of Pakistan to the UN that no visa would be issued for the planned travel to Pakistan".

For delisting Saeed, he has to be personally interviewed by UN ombudsman for which they wanted to travel to Pakistan.

The UN official had to settle for a video interview with JuD chief. Saeed was informed about the UN decision on March 6.

A government source told WION, "The first attempt at re-engineering was rejected by the international community."

Asked about Pakistan blocking the visit of UN officials, the source with a bit of sarcasm said," It is Imran Khan's Naya Pakistan after all.''

It is important to note Pakistan did not oppose the appeal of Hafiz Saeed to remove him from the UN terror list.

Hafiz Saeed chief of Pakistan based terror group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat (FiF) was banned on December 10, 2008, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

The development comes days before March 13, which is a deadline to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations.&nbsp;

France, UK, US have proposed the listing of Azhar as an international terrorist and if no country raises an issue, he will be blocked around 3 pm by New York time.

Despite Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's request to remove his name, the United Nations has continued the listing of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind as an international terrorist.

Despite Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's request to remove his name, the United Nations has continued the listing of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind as an international terrorist. But what stands out is that Islamabad is blocking UN officials to visit Pakistan to "interview" Saeed regarding the delisting process. Excerpts were seen by WION in a UN document on his delisting process clearly mentions UN ombudsman holding Pakistan responsible for blocking visa. The UN Ombudsman said, "On October 11, I was informed by a representative from the permanent mission of Pakistan to the UN that no visa would be issued for the planned travel to Pakistan". For delisting Saeed, he has to be personally interviewed by UN ombudsman for which they wanted to travel to Pakistan. The UN official had to settle for a video interview with JuD chief. Saeed was informed about the UN decision on March 6. A government source told WION, "The first attempt at re-engineering was rejected by the international community." Asked about Pakistan blocking the visit of UN officials, the source with a bit of sarcasm said," It is Imran Khan's Naya Pakistan after all.'' It is important to note Pakistan did not oppose the appeal of Hafiz Saeed to remove him from the UN terror list. Hafiz Saeed chief of Pakistan based terror group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat (FiF) was banned on December 10, 2008, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The development comes days before March 13, which is a deadline to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. France, UK, US have proposed the listing of Azhar as an international terrorist and if no country raises an issue, he will be blocked around 3 pm by New York time.

Pakistan blocks UN team from interviewing JuD chief Hafiz Saeed

In a significant move by Pakistan, visa requests of a United Nations team to interview 26/11 Mumbai terror attack <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-rejects-hafiz-saeeds-plea-for-removal-from-list-of-banned-terrorists-govt-sources-201780">mastermind Hafiz Saeed</a> residing in Pakistan were rejected by the country's consulate in New York.&nbsp;

A fresh proposal had been moved by Hafiz Saeed to remove his name from the UNSC 1267 sanctions list which is a list of UN recognized terrorists.

As is the norm, before removing an individual’s name from this list, the United Nations conducts in-person interviews of the individuals being considered for delisting. However, they were unable to do this in the case of Hafiz Saeed due to Pakistan’s visa refusal.

According to sources that confirmed Pakistan's latest duplicity in the Hafiz Saeed case, Pakistan was fearful that Saeed would voluntarily reveal more incriminating evidence against it and their support to various terror organisations operating from its soil, therefore, Pakistan blocked a face-to-face interview of Hafiz Saeed by the UN officials.&nbsp;

Subsequent to their visa requests getting rejected the UN ombudsman&nbsp;Daniel Kipfer Fasciati had to settle for a video interview of Saeed after which a report critical of Pakistan's behaviour was generated in which the UN officially recommended against the de-listing of Hafiz Saeed in the UNSC 1267 sanctions list, thereby dealing a blow to diplomatic efforts waged by Pakistan to protect the co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Hectic diplomatic parleys by India post-Pulwama terror attack have resulted in support from all but one permanent United Nations Security Council member over sanctioning Pakistan based terror heads Maulana Masood Azhar and Syed Salahudeen.

The United States, Russia, United Kingdom and France have been vocal in their support to India's fight against terrorism and proposal to include these men in the UN sanctions list. However, China remains non-committal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Thursday: “Security Council has explicit standards and rules on listing.&nbsp;China is participating in consultations in strict compliance with these rules. China's attitude shows its strong sense of responsibility and is conducive to real and lasting resolution of relevant issues.”

In a significant move by Pakistan, visa requests of a United Nations team to interview 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed residing in Pakistan were rejected by the country's consulate in New York.

In a significant move by Pakistan, visa requests of a United Nations team to interview 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed residing in Pakistan were rejected by the country's consulate in New York. A fresh proposal had been moved by Hafiz Saeed to remove his name from the UNSC 1267 sanctions list which is a list of UN recognized terrorists. As is the norm, before removing an individual’s name from this list, the United Nations conducts in-person interviews of the individuals being considered for delisting. However, they were unable to do this in the case of Hafiz Saeed due to Pakistan’s visa refusal. According to sources that confirmed Pakistan's latest duplicity in the Hafiz Saeed case, Pakistan was fearful that Saeed would voluntarily reveal more incriminating evidence against it and their support to various terror organisations operating from its soil, therefore, Pakistan blocked a face-to-face interview of Hafiz Saeed by the UN officials. Subsequent to their visa requests getting rejected the UN ombudsman Daniel Kipfer Fasciati had to settle for a video interview of Saeed after which a report critical of Pakistan's behaviour was generated in which the UN officially recommended against the de-listing of Hafiz Saeed in the UNSC 1267 sanctions list, thereby dealing a blow to diplomatic efforts waged by Pakistan to protect the co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Hectic diplomatic parleys by India post-Pulwama terror attack have resulted in support from all but one permanent United Nations Security Council member over sanctioning Pakistan based terror heads Maulana Masood Azhar and Syed Salahudeen. The United States, Russia, United Kingdom and France have been vocal in their support to India's fight against terrorism and proposal to include these men in the UN sanctions list. However, China remains non-committal. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Thursday: “Security Council has explicit standards and rules on listing. China is participating in consultations in strict compliance with these rules. China's attitude shows its strong sense of responsibility and is conducive to real and lasting resolution of relevant issues.”

Pakistan blocks UN team from interviewing Hafiz Saeed

US state dept pulls up Pakistan govt, says Pakistan should block access funds for terrorists

Pakistan arrests Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar's son, brother

Pakistan's latest lie: Pak Army says Jaish-e-Mohammad does not exist in the country

The India-Pakistan talks on Kartarpur corridor will take place at the Attari Wagah border on the Indian side on March 14.

In a release, the ministry of external affairs said, "In keeping with government's decision to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor... the first meeting between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for Kartarpur Corridor would be held at Attari-Wagah (Indian side) on March 14 2019."

New Delhi has also proposed that a technical level discussion on the alignment of the corridor to be held on the same day on the sidelines of Kartarpur meeting.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Foreign minister confirmed that they will be sending a delegation for talks to India, adding that the corridor is "is open for both Sikh and Hindu" communities.

Last week top Indian government sources had confirmed that New Delhi is open for talks on Kartarpur corridor despite the current tensions since "it concerns the sentiments of a community..we welcome Pakistani delegation for the talks".

India has already shared the crossing point for the corridor but Pakistan has suggested an alternate crossing point.

Both India and Pakistan last year in November approved the building of Kartarpur Corridor so that pilgrims can easily visit the Holy Gurudwara, where the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak lived for 18 years.&nbsp;

This year marks the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

The India-Pakistan talks on Kartarpur corridor will take place at the Attari Wagah border on the Indian side on March 14. In a release, the ministry of external affairs said, "In keeping with government's decision to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor.

The India-Pakistan talks on Kartarpur corridor will take place at the Attari Wagah border on the Indian side on March 14. In a release, the ministry of external affairs said, "In keeping with government's decision to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor... the first meeting between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for Kartarpur Corridor would be held at Attari-Wagah (Indian side) on March 14 2019." New Delhi has also proposed that a technical level discussion on the alignment of the corridor to be held on the same day on the sidelines of Kartarpur meeting. Earlier in the day, Pakistan Foreign minister confirmed that they will be sending a delegation for talks to India, adding that the corridor is "is open for both Sikh and Hindu" communities. Last week top Indian government sources had confirmed that New Delhi is open for talks on Kartarpur corridor despite the current tensions since "it concerns the sentiments of a community..we welcome Pakistani delegation for the talks". India has already shared the crossing point for the corridor but Pakistan has suggested an alternate crossing point. Both India and Pakistan last year in November approved the building of Kartarpur Corridor so that pilgrims can easily visit the Holy Gurudwara, where the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak lived for 18 years. This year marks the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

India, Pakistan talks on Kartarpur corridor to take place at Attari Wagah border on March 14

Sources in the Indian government have said "all options will be available" if the country is hit by another terrorist strike.&nbsp;

The sources told the news agency PTI that India will insist on "concrete steps" by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and that since Balakot, India has been "trying to build maximum pressure on Pakistan".&nbsp;

India has by now carried out two surgical strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The first was in September 2016, 11 days after the terrorist attack on the Indian Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in which 19 soldiers died.&nbsp;

The second was on February 26, when Indian Mirage 2000 jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunwa province.&nbsp;

The Balakot air strike had followed the suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir. At least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

Twelve days later, India hit Balakot.&nbsp;

Pakistan responded a day later by dropping bombs in Jammu's Rajouri district. The Indian Army said the bombs had been aimed at military installations but that they missed their targets.&nbsp;

A dogfight ensued after Indian jets were scrambled to chase out the Pakistani planes.

India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's&nbsp;MiG-21 was shot down and he spent two nights in Pakistani custody before being released. Before being shot down himself, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was able to shoot down a Pakistani F-16.&nbsp;

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Indian airman was returned as a "peace gesture" but tensions continue to run high between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.&nbsp;

On Monday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-shoots-down-pakistani-drone-that-violated-airspace-in-rajasthan-201136">India shot down a Pakistani drone</a>. On Tuesday, Pakistan said it had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-stopped-indian-submarine-from-entering-its-waters-201282?utm_source=izooto&amp;utm_medium=push_notifications&amp;utm_campaign=Stopped%20Indian%20sub%20Pak&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=">stopped an Indian submarine</a> from entering its waters.&nbsp;

The government sources said Tuesday that India has shared evidence (fragments of an AMRAAM missile) Pakistan used an F-16 in the dogfight Abhinandan was involved in.&nbsp;

"We are confident US is investigating Pakistan using F-16 fighter jet against India," PTI quoted the sources as saying.&nbsp;

Pakistan's use of the F-16 and the missile may violate its end-user agreement with the US since the American-supplied jets and missiles are reportedly supposed to be used only in counter-insurgency operations.&nbsp;

Sources in the Indian government have said "all options will be available" if the country is hit by another terrorist strike. The sources told the news agency PTI that India will insist on "concrete steps" by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and that since Balakot, India has been "trying to build maximum pressure on Pakistan".

Sources in the Indian government have said "all options will be available" if the country is hit by another terrorist strike. The sources told the news agency PTI that India will insist on "concrete steps" by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and that since Balakot, India has been "trying to build maximum pressure on Pakistan". India has by now carried out two surgical strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The first was in September 2016, 11 days after the terrorist attack on the Indian Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in which 19 soldiers died. The second was on February 26, when Indian Mirage 2000 jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunwa province. The Balakot air strike had followed the suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir. At least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack. Twelve days later, India hit Balakot. Pakistan responded a day later by dropping bombs in Jammu's Rajouri district. The Indian Army said the bombs had been aimed at military installations but that they missed their targets. A dogfight ensued after Indian jets were scrambled to chase out the Pakistani planes. India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 was shot down and he spent two nights in Pakistani custody before being released. Before being shot down himself, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was able to shoot down a Pakistani F-16. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Indian airman was returned as a "peace gesture" but tensions continue to run high between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours. On Monday, India shot down a Pakistani drone. On Tuesday, Pakistan said it had stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters. The government sources said Tuesday that India has shared evidence (fragments of an AMRAAM missile) Pakistan used an F-16 in the dogfight Abhinandan was involved in. "We are confident US is investigating Pakistan using F-16 fighter jet against India," PTI quoted the sources as saying. Pakistan's use of the F-16 and the missile may violate its end-user agreement with the US since the American-supplied jets and missiles are reportedly supposed to be used only in counter-insurgency operations.

All options available if there is another terrorist strike: Official sources

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-confiscates-seminaries-assets-of-hafiz-saeed-led-jamaat-ud-dawa-falah-e-insaniat-foundation-201505">Pakistan must take strict measures</a>, including action against banned outfits by May, to avoid economic sanctions over the non-implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, the finance secretary has warned.

Last year, the Paris-based FATF, an international terror financing watchdog, finalised a report with 40 recommendations for de-listing Islamabad from its 'grey list'. Pakistan was placed on the list for failing to curb anti-terror financing.

Arif Ahmed Khan was talking to reporters after attending a meeting of a sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday.

Dawn reported that he said "the country had to proceed against the banned outfits in the light of FATF recommendations.''

Khan expressed apprehensions that Pakistan might face economic sanctions if the FATF recommendations were ignored and not implemented.

The finance secretary said Pakistan had to take strict measures to implement the FATF recommendations.

The International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) of the FATF that reviewed Pakistan's action plan in recent meetings was not satisfied with the progress on milestones set for January 2019.

This was despite "improvements" in the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and integrated database for currency declaration arrangements, the report said.

It expressed concern over Pakistani authorities' inability to demonstrate why they considered eight proscribed entities to be low risk as opposed to the high-risk view of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) and the ICRG.

Therefore, the FATF urged "Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019" to address strategic deficiencies, the report said.

The FATF will undertake the next review of Pakistan's progress in June 2019, which will be preceded by a face-to-face meeting with the Joint Group in May.

In June 2018, Pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen its AML/CFT regime and to address its strategic counterterrorism financing-related deficiencies by implementing an action plan to accomplish these objectives.

The successful implementation of the action plan and its physical verification by the APG will lead the FATF to clear Pakistan out of its 'grey list' or move it into the 'blacklist' by September.

The FATF blacklist means the country concerned is "non-cooperative" in the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. If the FATF blacklists Pakistan, it may lead to downgrading of the country by multilateral lenders like the IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moodys, S&amp;P and Fitch.

Pakistan has been put on the grey list of the anti-terror finance watchdog in July 2018. The FATF currently has 35 members and two regional organisations &nbsp;European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council. North Korea and Iran are in the FATF blacklist.

Pakistan must take strict measures, including action against banned outfits by May, to avoid economic sanctions over the non-implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, the finance secretary has warned.

Pakistan must take strict measures, including action against banned outfits by May, to avoid economic sanctions over the non-implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, the finance secretary has warned. Last year, the Paris-based FATF, an international terror financing watchdog, finalised a report with 40 recommendations for de-listing Islamabad from its 'grey list'. Pakistan was placed on the list for failing to curb anti-terror financing. Arif Ahmed Khan was talking to reporters after attending a meeting of a sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday. Dawn reported that he said "the country had to proceed against the banned outfits in the light of FATF recommendations.'' Khan expressed apprehensions that Pakistan might face economic sanctions if the FATF recommendations were ignored and not implemented. The finance secretary said Pakistan had to take strict measures to implement the FATF recommendations. The International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) of the FATF that reviewed Pakistan's action plan in recent meetings was not satisfied with the progress on milestones set for January 2019. This was despite "improvements" in the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and integrated database for currency declaration arrangements, the report said. It expressed concern over Pakistani authorities' inability to demonstrate why they considered eight proscribed entities to be low risk as opposed to the high-risk view of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) and the ICRG. Therefore, the FATF urged "Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019" to address strategic deficiencies, the report said. The FATF will undertake the next review of Pakistan's progress in June 2019, which will be preceded by a face-to-face meeting with the Joint Group in May. In June 2018, Pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen its AML/CFT regime and to address its strategic counterterrorism financing-related deficiencies by implementing an action plan to accomplish these objectives. The successful implementation of the action plan and its physical verification by the APG will lead the FATF to clear Pakistan out of its 'grey list' or move it into the 'blacklist' by September. The FATF blacklist means the country concerned is "non-cooperative" in the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. If the FATF blacklists Pakistan, it may lead to downgrading of the country by multilateral lenders like the IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moodys, S&P and Fitch. Pakistan has been put on the grey list of the anti-terror finance watchdog in July 2018. The FATF currently has 35 members and two regional organisations European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council. North Korea and Iran are in the FATF blacklist.

Pakistan finance secretary warns of sanctions if FATF recommendations not complied with

Thousands cheer as a caravan of camels outfitted in decoratives saddles and garlands lumber across a dusty pitch to fight -- a sport that is officially banned in Pakistan but remains popular.&nbsp;

The crowd scream to the din of dhol drums and inch closer to the animals as anticipation mounts ahead of the bout, which is part of a festival in the central city of Layyah.&nbsp;

Before the fight begins, the camels are stripped of their festive pom poms and bells.

Then the games begin.

Animals wrestle with their necks and bite as they attempt to pin their adversary to the ground. There are howls of pain and grunts.

"It is a cultural fair and people came here to see it with passion and zeal," spectator Atiq ur Rehman told AFP.&nbsp;

"You can see the excitement around here.

Eventually, the referee declares a winner, prompting fans to surge forward to encircle the victorious animal.

The owner sits proudly on the camel's back celebrating success -- but also prize money of around 100,000 rupees ($715).

Camel fighting is illegal in Pakistan but the event at the Layyah festival still draws a significant crowd.

The country has a long history of bloodsports -- with bears, cocks, and dogs, among the other creatures forced to fight.

"According to the Pakistani law, all animal fights are illegal," said lawyer Abdul Ahad Shah of the Animal Welfare Organisation.

He added that most camels injured in the fights are not given proper medical care.&nbsp;

"Villagers use local remedies to treat wounds. It's cruel," Shah explained.&nbsp;

Enthusiasts brush away the criticism, saying the fights are a tradition in the country's Punjab heartland.

The animals are usually trained for more than a year before they take part in any fights.&nbsp;

"It shows our culture," said local elder Muhammad Ali Jatoi. "People gather here, greet each other and forget the anxieties of life."

Pakistan does little to enforce its bans on any kind of animal fighting, though there are sporadic crackdowns.

Last year it passed an amendment to its Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill which suggested the fine for inciting animals to fight should be increased from 50 rupees to 300,000 rupees.&nbsp;

The original law was set by the British in 1890 and had not been amended.&nbsp;

The Koran also instructs Muslims to avoid animal fighting as a sport.

Camel wrestling is also common in Afghanistan and the Middle East. The practice dates back thousands of years.&nbsp;

In Turkey, which hosts the hugely popular Selcuk Camel Wrestling Festival, local media reported attempts by local politicians for the activity to be listed on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List.

Thousands cheer as a caravan of camels outfitted in decoratives saddles and garlands lumber across a dusty pitch to fight -- a sport that is officially banned in Pakistan but remains popular.

Thousands cheer as a caravan of camels outfitted in decoratives saddles and garlands lumber across a dusty pitch to fight -- a sport that is officially banned in Pakistan but remains popular. The crowd scream to the din of dhol drums and inch closer to the animals as anticipation mounts ahead of the bout, which is part of a festival in the central city of Layyah. Before the fight begins, the camels are stripped of their festive pom poms and bells. Then the games begin. Animals wrestle with their necks and bite as they attempt to pin their adversary to the ground. There are howls of pain and grunts. "It is a cultural fair and people came here to see it with passion and zeal," spectator Atiq ur Rehman told AFP. "You can see the excitement around here. Eventually, the referee declares a winner, prompting fans to surge forward to encircle the victorious animal. The owner sits proudly on the camel's back celebrating success -- but also prize money of around 100,000 rupees ($715). Camel fighting is illegal in Pakistan but the event at the Layyah festival still draws a significant crowd. The country has a long history of bloodsports -- with bears, cocks, and dogs, among the other creatures forced to fight. "According to the Pakistani law, all animal fights are illegal," said lawyer Abdul Ahad Shah of the Animal Welfare Organisation. He added that most camels injured in the fights are not given proper medical care. "Villagers use local remedies to treat wounds. It's cruel," Shah explained. Enthusiasts brush away the criticism, saying the fights are a tradition in the country's Punjab heartland. The animals are usually trained for more than a year before they take part in any fights. "It shows our culture," said local elder Muhammad Ali Jatoi. "People gather here, greet each other and forget the anxieties of life." Pakistan does little to enforce its bans on any kind of animal fighting, though there are sporadic crackdowns. Last year it passed an amendment to its Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill which suggested the fine for inciting animals to fight should be increased from 50 rupees to 300,000 rupees. The original law was set by the British in 1890 and had not been amended. The Koran also instructs Muslims to avoid animal fighting as a sport. Camel wrestling is also common in Afghanistan and the Middle East. The practice dates back thousands of years. In Turkey, which hosts the hugely popular Selcuk Camel Wrestling Festival, local media reported attempts by local politicians for the activity to be listed on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List.

Culture or cruelty? Camel fighting persists in Pakistan despite ban

The Pakistan army Wednesday targeted dozens of forward posts and villages with artillery guns along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch districts, officials said.

The intense shelling and firing from across the border continued throughout the night in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, while it started in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch in the early hours of Wednesday, they said.

Officials said the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, and the exchange of heavy fire caused panic among the border residents. However, there was no report of any casualty on the Indian side, they said.

Pakistan had resorted to cross-border firing at Nowshera and Sunderbani in Rajouri and Krishna Ghati in Poonch on Tuesday as well. While the cross-border skirmishes lasted for over three hours in Nowshera sector which left a soldier injured, the firing in Krishna Ghati took place from 6 pm to 8:15 pm.

Firing in Sunderbani sector started at 8:30 pm Tuesday and ended around 4:30 am on Wednesday, the officials said. Minutes later, they said the guns once again roared in Krishna Ghati sector and firing was underway between the two sides when last reports were received. There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India’s preemptive air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot on February 26 following the February 14 suicide bombing in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured in over 60 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch last week.&nbsp;

The Pakistan army Wednesday targeted dozens of forward posts and villages with artillery guns along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch districts, officials said.

The Pakistan army Wednesday targeted dozens of forward posts and villages with artillery guns along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch districts, officials said. The intense shelling and firing from across the border continued throughout the night in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, while it started in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch in the early hours of Wednesday, they said. Officials said the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, and the exchange of heavy fire caused panic among the border residents. However, there was no report of any casualty on the Indian side, they said. Pakistan had resorted to cross-border firing at Nowshera and Sunderbani in Rajouri and Krishna Ghati in Poonch on Tuesday as well. While the cross-border skirmishes lasted for over three hours in Nowshera sector which left a soldier injured, the firing in Krishna Ghati took place from 6 pm to 8:15 pm. Firing in Sunderbani sector started at 8:30 pm Tuesday and ended around 4:30 am on Wednesday, the officials said. Minutes later, they said the guns once again roared in Krishna Ghati sector and firing was underway between the two sides when last reports were received. There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India’s preemptive air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot on February 26 following the February 14 suicide bombing in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured in over 60 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch last week.

J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Rajouri, Poonch

Jammu and Kashmir: Heavy shelling, firing by Pakistan along LoC

The Indian Air Force said Tuesday that Pakistan did not shoot down one of their Sukhois on the morning of February 27.&nbsp;

Fighter planes of the Indian and Pakistani air forces had engaged in a dogfight on the 27th, a day after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-options-available-if-there-is-another-terrorist-strike-official-sources-201309">India's air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot</a> in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.&nbsp;

"On 27 Feb, our air defence system was on full alert," the IAF said in a statement released Tuesday.&nbsp;

It added that the build up of Pakistani aircraft was noticed in time and Indian aircraft scrambled.&nbsp;

The IAF statement said India scrambled Mirage-2000s, Su-30s, and MiG-21 Bisons and that consequently, the "PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in hurry".&nbsp;

It added that that was "also evident from large missed distances of weapons dropped by them".&nbsp;

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Indian Air Force statement: Detailed report in this regard has already been released by IAF. All the Su-30 aircraft engaged in combat landed back safely. False claim by Pakistan of shooting down a Su-30, appears to be a cover up for loss of its own aircraft. <a href="https://t.co/Ccd04mX53G">https://t.co/Ccd04mX53G</a>
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India lost one MiG-21 that day — the one flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. Before he went down, Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16.&nbsp;

Varthaman spent two nights in Pakistani custody before being released as a "peace gesture" but tensions continue to run high between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.&nbsp;

On Monday, India shot down a Pakistani drone. On Tuesday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-stopped-indian-submarine-from-entering-its-waters-201282">Pakistan said it had stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters</a>. (India said that was Pakistani propaganda aimed at diverting attention from the issue of terror and its support of it.)&nbsp;

"During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM were conclusively observed," the IAF said Tuesday.&nbsp;

India has taken up Pakistan's use of the F-16s and of the AMRAAM missiles fitted on them with the US. Their use by Pakistan may violate its end-user agreement with the US since the American-supplied jets and missiles are reportedly supposed to be used only in counter-insurgency operations.&nbsp;

The Indian Air Force said Tuesday that Pakistan did not shoot down one of their Sukhois on the morning of February 27. Fighter planes of the Indian and Pakistani air forces had engaged in a dogfight on the 27th, a day after India's air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Indian Air Force said Tuesday that Pakistan did not shoot down one of their Sukhois on the morning of February 27. Fighter planes of the Indian and Pakistani air forces had engaged in a dogfight on the 27th, a day after India's air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "On 27 Feb, our air defence system was on full alert," the IAF said in a statement released Tuesday. It added that the build up of Pakistani aircraft was noticed in time and Indian aircraft scrambled. The IAF statement said India scrambled Mirage-2000s, Su-30s, and MiG-21 Bisons and that consequently, the "PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in hurry". It added that that was "also evident from large missed distances of weapons dropped by them". Indian Air Force statement: Detailed report in this regard has already been released by IAF. All the Su-30 aircraft engaged in combat landed back safely. False claim by Pakistan of shooting down a Su-30, appears to be a cover up for loss of its own aircraft. https://t.co/Ccd04mX53G — ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2019 × India lost one MiG-21 that day — the one flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. Before he went down, Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16. Varthaman spent two nights in Pakistani custody before being released as a "peace gesture" but tensions continue to run high between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours. On Monday, India shot down a Pakistani drone. On Tuesday, Pakistan said it had stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters. (India said that was Pakistani propaganda aimed at diverting attention from the issue of terror and its support of it.) "During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM were conclusively observed," the IAF said Tuesday. India has taken up Pakistan's use of the F-16s and of the AMRAAM missiles fitted on them with the US. Their use by Pakistan may violate its end-user agreement with the US since the American-supplied jets and missiles are reportedly supposed to be used only in counter-insurgency operations.

Pakistan did not shoot down one of our Sukhois: India

Pakistan on Tuesday informed India that its delegation will visit New Delhi on March 14 to discuss a draft agreement on the Kartarpur corridor, a positive development that could help ease tensions between the two neighbours.

Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal, who is also the Director General South Asia &amp; SAARC, invited India's acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia at the ministry of foreign affairs to convey the decision, according to a statement.

"The Pakistan delegation will visit New Delhi on 14 March 2019, followed by the return visit of the Indian delegation to Islamabad on 28 March 2019, to discuss the draft Agreement on Kartarpur Corridor," the statement said.

Faisal informed the Indian envoy that Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, will be returning to New Delhi after the completion of consultations in Islamabad.

He also conveyed that Pakistan was committed to continue weekly contact at the Military Operations Directorates level.

The positive development came as Pakistan launched a crackdown against banned outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed.

JeM chief Masood Azhar's son Hammad Azhar and brother Mufti Abdur Rauf were among 44 members of the banned militant outfits detained by authorities in Pakistan on Tuesday, amid mounting pressure from the global community on Islamabad to rein in the terror groups operating on its soil.

India and Pakistan have agreed to open up a special border crossing linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the first Gurdwara, was established by Guru Nanak Dev in 1522, where he is said to have died.

The corridor will facilitate the visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.

Pakistan on Tuesday informed India that its delegation will visit New Delhi on March 14 to discuss a draft agreement on the Kartarpur corridor, a positive development that could help ease tensions between the two neighbours.

Pakistan on Tuesday informed India that its delegation will visit New Delhi on March 14 to discuss a draft agreement on the Kartarpur corridor, a positive development that could help ease tensions between the two neighbours. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal, who is also the Director General South Asia & SAARC, invited India's acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia at the ministry of foreign affairs to convey the decision, according to a statement. "The Pakistan delegation will visit New Delhi on 14 March 2019, followed by the return visit of the Indian delegation to Islamabad on 28 March 2019, to discuss the draft Agreement on Kartarpur Corridor," the statement said. Faisal informed the Indian envoy that Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, will be returning to New Delhi after the completion of consultations in Islamabad. He also conveyed that Pakistan was committed to continue weekly contact at the Military Operations Directorates level. The positive development came as Pakistan launched a crackdown against banned outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed. JeM chief Masood Azhar's son Hammad Azhar and brother Mufti Abdur Rauf were among 44 members of the banned militant outfits detained by authorities in Pakistan on Tuesday, amid mounting pressure from the global community on Islamabad to rein in the terror groups operating on its soil. India and Pakistan have agreed to open up a special border crossing linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the first Gurdwara, was established by Guru Nanak Dev in 1522, where he is said to have died. The corridor will facilitate the visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.

Pakistan team to visit India on March 14 to discuss Kartarpur draft agreement

Pakistan's deposed prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-supreme-court-turns-down-nawaz-sharifs-appeal-for-early-hearing-in-graft-case-201308">Nawaz Sharif's medical condition</a> is "life-threatening" and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has suffered four angina attacks last week, his daughter Maryam Nawaz said on Tuesday.

Sharif, 69, is serving seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case at the Kot Lakhpat Jail since December 2018.

Maryam criticised the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for&nbsp;mistreatment of the three-time elected premier, following her visit to the jail to meet her father, Dawn newspaper reported.

"There is no treatment offered to him (Sharif) even when he is taken to and kept in the hospital for days. He says he doesn't want to be in the hospital as an excuse or escape or just for the sake of it," she tweeted.

"MNS (Mian Nawaz Sharif) has been a three-time Prime Minister and the insensitivity and callousness regarding his health on part of the government is shocking. My family and I are extremely concerned given the grave risk to his health. His condition is life-threatening," she said.

Maryam said during her meeting with Sharif, "he had an episode of angina and asked for his nitrate spray. Then he divulged that he has had similar attacks four times last week".&nbsp;

"He reiterated that he will neither report nor complain," she said.&nbsp;

"It's a medical fact that every episode of angina worsens the heart disease and can damage the heart irreversibly. Who will I blame or who will be responsible if anything happens to him God forbid? The callousness, I repeat, is shocking," she said.

Maryam's comments came as the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea moved on Sharif's behalf for early hearing of his appeal against last month's Islamabad High Court order of turning down his bail petition on medical grounds, the report said.

On February 15, Sharif was shifted to a hospital on the request of his personal physician to the government. It was the second time in February that he was shifted to a hospital from the prison.

Sharif resigned as Pakistan prime minister in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are political motivated.&nbsp;

Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif's medical condition is "life-threatening" and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has suffered four angina attacks last week, his daughter Maryam Nawaz said on Tuesday.

Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif's medical condition is "life-threatening" and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has suffered four angina attacks last week, his daughter Maryam Nawaz said on Tuesday. Sharif, 69, is serving seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case at the Kot Lakhpat Jail since December 2018. Maryam criticised the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for mistreatment of the three-time elected premier, following her visit to the jail to meet her father, Dawn newspaper reported. "There is no treatment offered to him (Sharif) even when he is taken to and kept in the hospital for days. He says he doesn't want to be in the hospital as an excuse or escape or just for the sake of it," she tweeted. "MNS (Mian Nawaz Sharif) has been a three-time Prime Minister and the insensitivity and callousness regarding his health on part of the government is shocking. My family and I are extremely concerned given the grave risk to his health. His condition is life-threatening," she said. Maryam said during her meeting with Sharif, "he had an episode of angina and asked for his nitrate spray. Then he divulged that he has had similar attacks four times last week". "He reiterated that he will neither report nor complain," she said. "It's a medical fact that every episode of angina worsens the heart disease and can damage the heart irreversibly. Who will I blame or who will be responsible if anything happens to him God forbid? The callousness, I repeat, is shocking," she said. Maryam's comments came as the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea moved on Sharif's behalf for early hearing of his appeal against last month's Islamabad High Court order of turning down his bail petition on medical grounds, the report said. On February 15, Sharif was shifted to a hospital on the request of his personal physician to the government. It was the second time in February that he was shifted to a hospital from the prison. Sharif resigned as Pakistan prime minister in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal. Sharif has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are political motivated.

Former Pakistan PM Sharif's medical condition life-threatening: Maryam Nawaz

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province sacked its Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan Tuesday over his anti-Hindu remarks that invited intense criticism from senior party leaders and the minority community.

Prime Minister Imran Khan took serious notice of Chohan's 'anti-Hindu' remarks and directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to remove him forthwith, party sources said.

"PTI Punjab government has removed Fayyaz Chohan from the post of Punjab Information Minister following derogatory remarks about the Hindu community," the official twitter account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said.

It further said: "Bashing someone's faith should not be a part of any narrative. Tolerance is the first &amp; foremost pillar on which #Pakistan was built."

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PTI Punjab government has removed Fayyaz Chohan from the post of Punjab Information Minister following derogatory remarks about the Hindu community. Bashing someone’s faith should not b a part of any narrative.Tolerance is the first &amp; foremost pillar on which <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> was built. <a href="https://t.co/uKJiReWc26">pic.twitter.com/uKJiReWc26</a>
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A spokesman for Punjab chief minister said Chohan submitted his resignation to the chief minister which was immediately accepted.

According to a senior government official, the chief minister had "forgiven" Chohan after he publicly apologised for his remarks, but the prime minister directed Buzdar to immediately remove him from the ministry.

Chohan had come under severe criticism from senior members of his party, ministers and social media users with #SackFayazChohan trending on Twitter for his controversial remarks while addressing a gathering on February 24 in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.

Earlier in the day, Chohan apologised for his remarks following intense criticism.

"I was addressing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian armed forces and their media not the Hindu community in Pakistan," he said.

"I apologise if my remarks hurt the Hindu community in Pakistan," Chohan said. "My remarks were in no way directed at Pakistan's Hindu community."

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government "will not tolerate this nonsense", party leader Naeemul Haque, who is special assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs, said Monday night in response to Chohan's remarks.

"The derogatory and insulting remarks against the Hindu community by Fayyaz Chohan the Punjab Info Minister demand strict action. PTI govt will not tolerate this nonsense from a senior member of the govt or from anyone. Action will be taken after consulting the Chief Minister," Haque tweeted. 
Haque's tweet was followed by condemnation from Shireen Mazari and Asad Umar, the federal ministers of human rights and finance, respectively.

"Absolutely condemn this. No one has the right to attack anyone else's religion. Our Hindu citizens have given sacrifices for their country," Mazari tweeted. "Our PM's msg is always of tolerance &amp; respect &amp; we cannot condone any form of bigotry or spread of religious hatred," she added. 
Financer Minister Umar tweeted, "Hindus of Pakistan are as much a part of the fabric of the nation as I am. Remember the flag of Pakistan is not just green...Its not complete without the white which represents the minorities."

Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal also took to Twitter and said, "Pakistan proudly owns the white in the flag as much as the green, values contributions of the Hindu community and honours them as our own."

Several members of the Hindu community in Pakistan also took to Twitter to condemn the minister's remarks.

Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.

According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

Majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their fellow Muslim countrymen.&nbsp;

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province sacked its Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan Tuesday over his anti-Hindu remarks that invited intense criticism from senior party leaders and the minority community.

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province sacked its Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan Tuesday over his anti-Hindu remarks that invited intense criticism from senior party leaders and the minority community. Prime Minister Imran Khan took serious notice of Chohan's 'anti-Hindu' remarks and directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to remove him forthwith, party sources said. "PTI Punjab government has removed Fayyaz Chohan from the post of Punjab Information Minister following derogatory remarks about the Hindu community," the official twitter account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said. It further said: "Bashing someone's faith should not be a part of any narrative. Tolerance is the first & foremost pillar on which #Pakistan was built." PTI Punjab government has removed Fayyaz Chohan from the post of Punjab Information Minister following derogatory remarks about the Hindu community. Bashing someone’s faith should not b a part of any narrative.Tolerance is the first & foremost pillar on which #Pakistan was built. pic.twitter.com/uKJiReWc26 — PTI (@PTIofficial) March 5, 2019 × A spokesman for Punjab chief minister said Chohan submitted his resignation to the chief minister which was immediately accepted. According to a senior government official, the chief minister had "forgiven" Chohan after he publicly apologised for his remarks, but the prime minister directed Buzdar to immediately remove him from the ministry. Chohan had come under severe criticism from senior members of his party, ministers and social media users with #SackFayazChohan trending on Twitter for his controversial remarks while addressing a gathering on February 24 in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. Earlier in the day, Chohan apologised for his remarks following intense criticism. "I was addressing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian armed forces and their media not the Hindu community in Pakistan," he said. "I apologise if my remarks hurt the Hindu community in Pakistan," Chohan said. "My remarks were in no way directed at Pakistan's Hindu community." The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government "will not tolerate this nonsense", party leader Naeemul Haque, who is special assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs, said Monday night in response to Chohan's remarks. "The derogatory and insulting remarks against the Hindu community by Fayyaz Chohan the Punjab Info Minister demand strict action. PTI govt will not tolerate this nonsense from a senior member of the govt or from anyone. Action will be taken after consulting the Chief Minister," Haque tweeted. Haque's tweet was followed by condemnation from Shireen Mazari and Asad Umar, the federal ministers of human rights and finance, respectively. "Absolutely condemn this. No one has the right to attack anyone else's religion. Our Hindu citizens have given sacrifices for their country," Mazari tweeted. "Our PM's msg is always of tolerance & respect & we cannot condone any form of bigotry or spread of religious hatred," she added. Financer Minister Umar tweeted, "Hindus of Pakistan are as much a part of the fabric of the nation as I am. Remember the flag of Pakistan is not just green...Its not complete without the white which represents the minorities." Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal also took to Twitter and said, "Pakistan proudly owns the white in the flag as much as the green, values contributions of the Hindu community and honours them as our own." Several members of the Hindu community in Pakistan also took to Twitter to condemn the minister's remarks. Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan. According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country. Majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their fellow Muslim countrymen.

Pakistan: Punjab province minister sacked for anti-Hindu remarks

India has said Pakistan is indulging in propaganda to try and divert attention from the issue of terrorism. This was after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-stopped-indian-submarine-from-entering-its-waters-201282">Pakistan said Tuesday that it had stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters</a>.&nbsp;

"Over the past several days, we have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propaganda and spread of misinformation. The Indian Navy does not take cognisance of such propaganda," the Indian Navy said in a statement.&nbsp;

Pakistan released a video of the&nbsp;Indian submarine purportedly trying to enter its waters.

Earlier in the day, WION learnt that on the diplomatic front New Delhi has informed the global community that no such movement of Indian assets (the submarine) had taken place and that "in fact, they are not in the vicinity."&nbsp;

New Delhi said Pakistan is playing up the situation to divert the "attention of the international community from our concern of terror to the so-called threat from India". It further added that "we should not fall for it".

Indian authorities said Tuesday that the video released by Pakistan matches a similar video released by Pakistan in 2016, which made the same claim then, suggesting Pakistan is trying to shift focus.

After India's air strike on February 26 and Pakistan's counter-strike, Islamabad had informed foreign envoys in Pakistan that India planned to bomb Karachi. When approached by the world community, New Delhi clarified that that was not the case.&nbsp;

India has said Pakistan is indulging in propaganda to try and divert attention from the issue of terrorism. This was after Pakistan said Tuesday that it had stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters.

India has said Pakistan is indulging in propaganda to try and divert attention from the issue of terrorism. This was after Pakistan said Tuesday that it had stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters. "Over the past several days, we have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propaganda and spread of misinformation. The Indian Navy does not take cognisance of such propaganda," the Indian Navy said in a statement. Pakistan released a video of the Indian submarine purportedly trying to enter its waters. Earlier in the day, WION learnt that on the diplomatic front New Delhi has informed the global community that no such movement of Indian assets (the submarine) had taken place and that "in fact, they are not in the vicinity." New Delhi said Pakistan is playing up the situation to divert the "attention of the international community from our concern of terror to the so-called threat from India". It further added that "we should not fall for it". Indian authorities said Tuesday that the video released by Pakistan matches a similar video released by Pakistan in 2016, which made the same claim then, suggesting Pakistan is trying to shift focus. After India's air strike on February 26 and Pakistan's counter-strike, Islamabad had informed foreign envoys in Pakistan that India planned to bomb Karachi. When approached by the world community, New Delhi clarified that that was not the case.

Pakistan says Indian submarine tried to enter its waters, India says propaganda to divert attention from terror

India has said that its operation on the terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Balakot is over but the next step will be to mount diplomatic pressure on an increasingly isolated Islamabad.

Sources told WION, "Our government's position is very clear, we have to make strategy on our own. We have to fight terror on our own. But we have to build pressure on Pakistan to see that focus remains on Pakistan as a state which supports, sponsors and nurtures terrorism"

"If there is subsequent terror attack all options are available for us,'' sources added.

India also made it clear that no negotiations were done for the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan who was captured by Pakistan after it launched strikes on Indian military installation last week.

Sources said, "We made it very clear to all the ambassadors of the P5 countries, that this was non-negotiable matter, we were not asking for consular access, and we expected him back immediately and we believe this was conveyed and Pakistani side very clearly understood."&nbsp;

Sources added, "Pressure was built not only by P5 but by others also, and this was instrumental (in the release) and it should not be attributed to Imran Khan's generous Pathan heart."

On the death of Masood Azhar, chief of JeM, sources dismissed it saying we take such news with a pinch of salt.

India hopes to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the 1267 committee of the United Nations Security Council which it believes will send a message that Pakistan is the epicentre of terror in the world.

The deadline for any country to hold technical bar against declaring Azhar as an international terrorist is on March 14, around 1:30 am.

India has said that its operation on the terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Balakot is over but the next step will be to mount diplomatic pressure on an increasingly isolated Islamabad.

India has said that its operation on the terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Balakot is over but the next step will be to mount diplomatic pressure on an increasingly isolated Islamabad. Sources told WION, "Our government's position is very clear, we have to make strategy on our own. We have to fight terror on our own. But we have to build pressure on Pakistan to see that focus remains on Pakistan as a state which supports, sponsors and nurtures terrorism" "If there is subsequent terror attack all options are available for us,'' sources added. India also made it clear that no negotiations were done for the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan who was captured by Pakistan after it launched strikes on Indian military installation last week. Sources said, "We made it very clear to all the ambassadors of the P5 countries, that this was non-negotiable matter, we were not asking for consular access, and we expected him back immediately and we believe this was conveyed and Pakistani side very clearly understood." Sources added, "Pressure was built not only by P5 but by others also, and this was instrumental (in the release) and it should not be attributed to Imran Khan's generous Pathan heart." On the death of Masood Azhar, chief of JeM, sources dismissed it saying we take such news with a pinch of salt. India hopes to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the 1267 committee of the United Nations Security Council which it believes will send a message that Pakistan is the epicentre of terror in the world. The deadline for any country to hold technical bar against declaring Azhar as an international terrorist is on March 14, around 1:30 am.

Balakot operation over, next step is to mount diplomatic pressure on Pakistan: India

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-options-available-if-there-is-another-terrorist-strike-official-sources-201309">All options available if there is another terrorist strike: Official sources</a>

Sources in the Indian government have said "all options will be available" if the country is hit by another terrorist strike.&nbsp;

The sources told the news agency PTI that India will insist on "concrete steps" by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and that since Balakot, India has been "trying to build maximum pressure on Pakistan".&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-puts-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhars-son-brother-under-preventive-detention-201325">Pakistan arrests Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar's brother</a>

Pakistan has arrested the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.&nbsp;

Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said Tuesday at a press conference that Mufti Abdur Rauf had been arrested.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-stopped-indian-submarine-from-entering-its-waters-201282">Pakistan says it stopped Indian submarine from entering its waters</a>

Pakistan has stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters, the navy said Tuesday, as tensions continue to run high between the nuclear-armed foes.

The development came days after a rare aerial dogfight between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir ignited fears of an all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-foreign-minister-jeremy-hunt-says-reasonably-positive-signs-from-eu-over-brexit-deal-changes-201281">UK Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt says 'reasonably positive' signs from EU over Brexit deal changes</a>

Foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday the European Union was giving "reasonably positive" signals about giving Britain changes to Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal which could help it get parliamentary backing.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/live-score-india-all-set-to-face-visitors-australia-in-2nd-odi-201250">Live score: Finch, Khawaja fall in quick succession, Australia 83/2 after 15.3 overs</a>

India all-out for 250 in 48.2 overs. India captain Virat Kohli top-scored with 116 off 120 balls while Vijay Shankar made 46 of 41.

All options available if there is another terrorist strike: Official sources Sources in the Indian government have said "all options will be available" if the country is hit by another terrorist strike.

All options available if there is another terrorist strike: Official sources Sources in the Indian government have said "all options will be available" if the country is hit by another terrorist strike. The sources told the news agency PTI that India will insist on "concrete steps" by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and that since Balakot, India has been "trying to build maximum pressure on Pakistan". Pakistan arrests Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar's brother Pakistan has arrested the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said Tuesday at a press conference that Mufti Abdur Rauf had been arrested. Pakistan says it stopped Indian submarine from entering its waters Pakistan has stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters, the navy said Tuesday, as tensions continue to run high between the nuclear-armed foes. The development came days after a rare aerial dogfight between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir ignited fears of an all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint. UK Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt says 'reasonably positive' signs from EU over Brexit deal changes Foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday the European Union was giving "reasonably positive" signals about giving Britain changes to Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal which could help it get parliamentary backing. Live score: Finch, Khawaja fall in quick succession, Australia 83/2 after 15.3 overs India all-out for 250 in 48.2 overs. India captain Virat Kohli top-scored with 116 off 120 balls while Vijay Shankar made 46 of 41.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed on behalf of ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for an early hearing of his petition seeking bail on medical grounds and to have his sentence suspended in the Al-Azizia corruption case.

The apex court said on Monday that the case against the Islamabad High Court's verdict will be heard when its turn comes.

Sharif, 69, was on December 24 last year sentenced to seven years in prison by an anti-corruption court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case for owning a steel factory abroad without disclosing its ownership.

On Friday, senior counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed filed an appeal before the Supreme Court on behalf of the former premier, asking the apex court to grant him bail after suspending the seven-year sentence, the Dawn newspaper reported.

But the Supreme Court Registrar Office returned the application for early hearing on the grounds that no special treatment could be accorded and the routine procedure would be followed to take up the matter, it said.

Sharif had filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to suspend his sentence in the Al-Azizia case until the final verdict on his appeal is announced. However, the court rejected his plea on February 25.

He had requested bail on the grounds that his health was deteriorating in jail.

The IHC in its order had held that none of the medical reports about Sharif's condition suggested that his continued incarceration would in any way be detrimental to his life, adding that he had been hospitalised time and again since January whenever he made complaints about his indisposition.

Sharif has challenged this verdict in the Supreme Court and filed a separate petition for a quick hearing on March 6.

His appeal contends that the IHC order was in violation of his fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution.

The former premier is currently incarcerated at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore where he is serving the seven-year sentence.

Sharif resigned as Pakistan prime minister in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are political motivated.

His supporters believe the real reason he was convicted was because he had fallen out with the country's powerful army.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed on behalf of ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for an early hearing of his petition seeking bail on medical grounds and to have his sentence suspended in the Al-Azizia corruption case.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed on behalf of ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for an early hearing of his petition seeking bail on medical grounds and to have his sentence suspended in the Al-Azizia corruption case. The apex court said on Monday that the case against the Islamabad High Court's verdict will be heard when its turn comes. Sharif, 69, was on December 24 last year sentenced to seven years in prison by an anti-corruption court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case for owning a steel factory abroad without disclosing its ownership. On Friday, senior counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed filed an appeal before the Supreme Court on behalf of the former premier, asking the apex court to grant him bail after suspending the seven-year sentence, the Dawn newspaper reported. But the Supreme Court Registrar Office returned the application for early hearing on the grounds that no special treatment could be accorded and the routine procedure would be followed to take up the matter, it said. Sharif had filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to suspend his sentence in the Al-Azizia case until the final verdict on his appeal is announced. However, the court rejected his plea on February 25. He had requested bail on the grounds that his health was deteriorating in jail. The IHC in its order had held that none of the medical reports about Sharif's condition suggested that his continued incarceration would in any way be detrimental to his life, adding that he had been hospitalised time and again since January whenever he made complaints about his indisposition. Sharif has challenged this verdict in the Supreme Court and filed a separate petition for a quick hearing on March 6. His appeal contends that the IHC order was in violation of his fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution. The former premier is currently incarcerated at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore where he is serving the seven-year sentence. Sharif resigned as Pakistan prime minister in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal. Sharif has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are political motivated. His supporters believe the real reason he was convicted was because he had fallen out with the country's powerful army.

Pakistan's Supreme Court turns down Nawaz Sharif's appeal for early hearing in graft case

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said Pakistan used to return beheaded bodies of Indian jawans earlier, but now it had to release a captured Indian Air Force pilot "within 48 hours".

"See the change now. Within 48 hours, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released and he is among us," Shah said while addressing party workers at a meeting in Jharkhand.

Indian Air Force also went inside Pakistan and demolished terror camps proving the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Pulwama terror attack, Shah said.

Attacking Congress president Rahul Gandhi, he said the UPA-2 government gave only Rs 55,253 crore to Jharkhand, while the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has provided Rs 3.13 lakh crore to the state, besides taking up other developmental projects in the state.

Shah said, "For 10 years, the UPA government was in power (at the Centre). I would like to ask, what did you give to Jharkhand."

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said Pakistan used to return beheaded bodies of Indian jawans earlier, but now it had to release a captured Indian Air Force pilot "within 48 hours".

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said Pakistan used to return beheaded bodies of Indian jawans earlier, but now it had to release a captured Indian Air Force pilot "within 48 hours". "See the change now. Within 48 hours, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released and he is among us," Shah said while addressing party workers at a meeting in Jharkhand. Indian Air Force also went inside Pakistan and demolished terror camps proving the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Pulwama terror attack, Shah said. Attacking Congress president Rahul Gandhi, he said the UPA-2 government gave only Rs 55,253 crore to Jharkhand, while the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has provided Rs 3.13 lakh crore to the state, besides taking up other developmental projects in the state. Shah said, "For 10 years, the UPA government was in power (at the Centre). I would like to ask, what did you give to Jharkhand."

Earlier, Pakistan used to return beheaded bodies of jawans, now they released pilot 'within 48 hours': Amit Shah

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-stopped-indian-submarine-from-entering-its-waters-201282">Pakistan has made</a> it easier to seize and freeze the assets of people and groups facing UN sanctions, the foreign ministry said, part of intensified efforts to dismantle Islamist militant groups.

Pakistan is under increasing pressure from global powers to act against militant groups carrying out attacks in India, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in a suicide bombing last month in the disputed Kashmir region.

The bomb attack led to the most serious conflict in years between the nuclear-armed neighbours with cross-border air strikes and a brief dogfight over the skies of Kashmir.

Tension cooled when Pakistan returned a downed Indian pilot on Friday.

Pakistan has long used some Islamist groups to pursue its aims in the region, but it has denied Indian accusations it actively supports militants fighting Indian forces in India's part of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.

From time to time - usually as a result of outside pressure - Pakistan has cracked down on anti-India militants but most factions manage to survive and resume activities.

Pakistan's foreign ministry late on Monday said a new order, updating existing laws that deal with those on UN sanctions lists, had been issued "to streamline the procedure for implementation of Security Council sanctions against designated individuals and entities".

Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal said the order was passed by the cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Many Pakistani groups and individuals are sanctioned by the United Nations, including the JeM, and Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group that carried out the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, in which 166 people were killed.

Saeed, who holds public gatherings in Pakistan, has been at the heart of criticism that Pakistan does not enforce its anti-militancy laws.

On Monday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Pakistan had developed a "full-fledged strategy" to deal with militants and the government was looking to close "loopholes" that allowed banned groups to operate.

"With banned groups it will be made sure that they will be banned in practical terms also," he said.

A senior counter-terrorism official told Reuters the government was looking to set up a coordination "cell" to oversee action against militants.

"This cell will coordinate with finance ministry, counter-terrorism departments, state bank, and financial monitoring units to see what actions have been taken against the militant groups, their assets and their sources of income," he said.

The ministry had no immediate comment.

Over the weekend, both the United States and Britain urged Pakistan to deal with militant groups. Britain urged Khan to "address the causes of this conflict" with its neighbour.

Pakistan and India have gone to war three times, twice over the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both rule in part. India controls most of the region, including the populous Kashmir Valley.

Pakistan says Kashmir was unfairly made part of India when British India was partitioned at the end of colonial rule, and the people of Kashmir should be allowed to decide if they want to join Pakistan or remain part of India.

India rules that out.

Pakistan has made it easier to seize and freeze the assets of people and groups facing UN sanctions, the foreign ministry said, part of intensified efforts to dismantle Islamist militant groups.

Pakistan has made it easier to seize and freeze the assets of people and groups facing UN sanctions, the foreign ministry said, part of intensified efforts to dismantle Islamist militant groups. Pakistan is under increasing pressure from global powers to act against militant groups carrying out attacks in India, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in a suicide bombing last month in the disputed Kashmir region. The bomb attack led to the most serious conflict in years between the nuclear-armed neighbours with cross-border air strikes and a brief dogfight over the skies of Kashmir. Tension cooled when Pakistan returned a downed Indian pilot on Friday. Pakistan has long used some Islamist groups to pursue its aims in the region, but it has denied Indian accusations it actively supports militants fighting Indian forces in India's part of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. From time to time - usually as a result of outside pressure - Pakistan has cracked down on anti-India militants but most factions manage to survive and resume activities. Pakistan's foreign ministry late on Monday said a new order, updating existing laws that deal with those on UN sanctions lists, had been issued "to streamline the procedure for implementation of Security Council sanctions against designated individuals and entities". Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal said the order was passed by the cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Many Pakistani groups and individuals are sanctioned by the United Nations, including the JeM, and Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group that carried out the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, in which 166 people were killed. Saeed, who holds public gatherings in Pakistan, has been at the heart of criticism that Pakistan does not enforce its anti-militancy laws. On Monday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Pakistan had developed a "full-fledged strategy" to deal with militants and the government was looking to close "loopholes" that allowed banned groups to operate. "With banned groups it will be made sure that they will be banned in practical terms also," he said. A senior counter-terrorism official told Reuters the government was looking to set up a coordination "cell" to oversee action against militants. "This cell will coordinate with finance ministry, counter-terrorism departments, state bank, and financial monitoring units to see what actions have been taken against the militant groups, their assets and their sources of income," he said. The ministry had no immediate comment. Over the weekend, both the United States and Britain urged Pakistan to deal with militant groups. Britain urged Khan to "address the causes of this conflict" with its neighbour. Pakistan and India have gone to war three times, twice over the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both rule in part. India controls most of the region, including the populous Kashmir Valley. Pakistan says Kashmir was unfairly made part of India when British India was partitioned at the end of colonial rule, and the people of Kashmir should be allowed to decide if they want to join Pakistan or remain part of India. India rules that out.

Pakistan makes it easier to go after assets of UN-sanctioned militants

More than 250 terrorists killed in air-strikes, claims BJP chief Amit Shah

Sometime in 1997, the Jammu and Kashmir government had invited journalists to visit the Kot Balwal jail on the outskirts of Jammu city, which houses dreaded terrorists.

While walking through the pathways, a bearded and overweight Moulvi with a limp tried his best to attract the attention of the visiting media persons. From behind the grills, he tried telling the scribes that he was one of them — a writer.

The visitors, more eager to see Afghan war veterans and highly placed Harkat-ul-Ansar commanders, Nasrullah Mansoor Khan Langrial and Sajjad Khan Afghani, declined. 
 
The Moulvi - none other than Maulana Masood Azhar - is currently the most wanted man in India.

Azhar had come to discipline Afghani

Ironically, it was not just the media which was taken in by the looks of a short squat man who was dismissed as no more than a harmless terrorist sympathiser. The investigating agencies thought the same! They neither filed a case against him nor began prosecution till they were forced to release him in exchange of passengers of the IC814 plane hijacked in December 1999.

Azhar had been sent to Kashmir to discipline Afghani, who had gone berserk after security forces had captured his colleague, Langrial, in January 1994.

An enraged Afghani attacked an Army camp at Elahi Bagh in Srinagar on January 16, but was pushed back. He later kidnapped Major Bhupinder Singh to negotiate Langrial’s release. When authorities refused to negotiate, he executed the officer. Afghani’s actions were creating concern back in Pakistan, where Harkat had planned to lie low and seek entrenchment in South Kashmir.

The problem was - who would bell the errant commander? The planners zeroed in on the innocuous-looking general secretary of the dreaded organisation, Maulana Masood Azhar.

With Portuguese passport in hand, he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) at New Delhi on January 29, 1994, on a Bangladesh Biman flight from Dhaka. Attired in a western suit, with a trimmed beard, he looked every inch an executive, but the immigration officer checked his passport several times. According to Azhar’s own confession, he was sweating down his trousers. But he was allowed to go and he headed for Ashoka Hotel at Chanakyapuri.

Before boarding for Srinagar on February 9, he visited Deoband, getting rid of his western dress. He arrived in Srinagar wearing a skull cap and kurta-pajama to pass off as someone returning from Mecca after performing the pilgrimage.

How Azhar was accidentally captured in 1994

After meeting his contacts in Srinagar, he summoned all commanders who were busy setting embryonic cells for the Harkat in the region. After lecturing the terrorists, urging them not to deviate from the plan, Afghani suggested him to deliver the Friday sermon at the Jamia mosque in Anantnag, to make a defiant statement. Leaving the guards behind, Afghani and South Kashmir local commander, Sikandar’s deputy, Raees, walked to the car.

Interrogation reports later suggested that the car broke down midway and they took an auto-rickshaw. But short of reaching Anantnag, they were encircled by a posse of BSF, who had somehow tracked Raees. The latter opened fire and lobbed grenades, before melting into the forest.

Masood and Afghani were taken to the Khundroo Army camp. Nobody recognised the catch. Intelligence records suggest that at the camp, Afghani, in order to save Azhar, revealed his identity, but not of the short portly man by his side. He told interrogators that this Moulvi has nothing to do with him: “I had kidnapped him. He was arrested when you arrested me.”

Authorities almost caved in, but before releasing, called Azhar into the interrogation room, where he broke down within 30 minutes and blurted out the truth, state intelligence records.

Several attempts were made to free Azhar

Despite several audacious attempts to free Masood, no effort was made to try him in a court of law. The first attempt came in early summer of 1994, when Harkat district commander Sikandar kidnapped two British citizens Kim Housego and producer David Mackie, but had to release them after Housego’s father, a former British journalist based in New Delhi, launched a public campaign.

The same year in October 1994, British Pakistani Omar Sheikh Sayeed lured three British and one American backpacker away from their guest houses in Paharganj and held them hostage at a remote house in a Ghaziabad village. The next day, Sayeed delivered a note at Delhi’s BBC office, demanding the release of Masood Azhar and his two associates, along with passport details of hostages. The BBC office passed on the documents to the Ministry of External Affairs, who sought information from Ministry of Home Affairs and the Delhi Police.

Upon confirmation that foreigners had been kidnapped, intelligence and security officials went into a tizzy. Nobody had a clue about the kidnappers, but good luck came their way when two UP police constables chased a petty thief, who had taken refuge in the same house where Sheikh, who had just returned from Delhi after delivering the note, was stationed. The British Pakistani took it as a police raid and started firing from an AK-47 rifle. Puzzled, the UP policemen called for reinforcements and found a few western hostages, all tied and trussed up. While other terrorists escaped, Omar Sheikh was arrested.

Another bid to release him again came on July 4, 1995, when a little known terrorist group, Al-Faran, kidnapped six western tourists in the Pahalgam mountains. Author Adrian Levy says the incident changed the face of modern terrorism. Finally, in December 1999, the biggest plan to secure Azhar’s release was sought in exchange of passengers of the hijacked IC814 flight. Along with Omar Sheikh Sayeed and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Azhar was transported to Kandahar.

Just a month ago, Sajjad Afghani was killed during an unsuccessful attempt at escape from the Kot Balwal Jail. Curiously, plane hijackers didn’t demand the release of Langrial, whose arrest had triggered the entire chain of events. He, after spending 18 years in jail, was finally repatriated in 2011.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-maulana-masood-azhar-the-moulvi-with-a-limp-who-became-india-s-most-wanted-man-2725831">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Sometime in 1997, the Jammu and Kashmir government had invited journalists to visit the Kot Balwal jail on the outskirts of Jammu city, which houses dreaded terrorists.

Sometime in 1997, the Jammu and Kashmir government had invited journalists to visit the Kot Balwal jail on the outskirts of Jammu city, which houses dreaded terrorists. While walking through the pathways, a bearded and overweight Moulvi with a limp tried his best to attract the attention of the visiting media persons. From behind the grills, he tried telling the scribes that he was one of them — a writer. The visitors, more eager to see Afghan war veterans and highly placed Harkat-ul-Ansar commanders, Nasrullah Mansoor Khan Langrial and Sajjad Khan Afghani, declined. The Moulvi - none other than Maulana Masood Azhar - is currently the most wanted man in India. Azhar had come to discipline Afghani Ironically, it was not just the media which was taken in by the looks of a short squat man who was dismissed as no more than a harmless terrorist sympathiser. The investigating agencies thought the same! They neither filed a case against him nor began prosecution till they were forced to release him in exchange of passengers of the IC814 plane hijacked in December 1999. Azhar had been sent to Kashmir to discipline Afghani, who had gone berserk after security forces had captured his colleague, Langrial, in January 1994. An enraged Afghani attacked an Army camp at Elahi Bagh in Srinagar on January 16, but was pushed back. He later kidnapped Major Bhupinder Singh to negotiate Langrial’s release. When authorities refused to negotiate, he executed the officer. Afghani’s actions were creating concern back in Pakistan, where Harkat had planned to lie low and seek entrenchment in South Kashmir. The problem was - who would bell the errant commander? The planners zeroed in on the innocuous-looking general secretary of the dreaded organisation, Maulana Masood Azhar. With Portuguese passport in hand, he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) at New Delhi on January 29, 1994, on a Bangladesh Biman flight from Dhaka. Attired in a western suit, with a trimmed beard, he looked every inch an executive, but the immigration officer checked his passport several times. According to Azhar’s own confession, he was sweating down his trousers. But he was allowed to go and he headed for Ashoka Hotel at Chanakyapuri. Before boarding for Srinagar on February 9, he visited Deoband, getting rid of his western dress. He arrived in Srinagar wearing a skull cap and kurta-pajama to pass off as someone returning from Mecca after performing the pilgrimage. How Azhar was accidentally captured in 1994 After meeting his contacts in Srinagar, he summoned all commanders who were busy setting embryonic cells for the Harkat in the region. After lecturing the terrorists, urging them not to deviate from the plan, Afghani suggested him to deliver the Friday sermon at the Jamia mosque in Anantnag, to make a defiant statement. Leaving the guards behind, Afghani and South Kashmir local commander, Sikandar’s deputy, Raees, walked to the car. Interrogation reports later suggested that the car broke down midway and they took an auto-rickshaw. But short of reaching Anantnag, they were encircled by a posse of BSF, who had somehow tracked Raees. The latter opened fire and lobbed grenades, before melting into the forest. Masood and Afghani were taken to the Khundroo Army camp. Nobody recognised the catch. Intelligence records suggest that at the camp, Afghani, in order to save Azhar, revealed his identity, but not of the short portly man by his side. He told interrogators that this Moulvi has nothing to do with him: “I had kidnapped him. He was arrested when you arrested me.” Authorities almost caved in, but before releasing, called Azhar into the interrogation room, where he broke down within 30 minutes and blurted out the truth, state intelligence records. Several attempts were made to free Azhar Despite several audacious attempts to free Masood, no effort was made to try him in a court of law. The first attempt came in early summer of 1994, when Harkat district commander Sikandar kidnapped two British citizens Kim Housego and producer David Mackie, but had to release them after Housego’s father, a former British journalist based in New Delhi, launched a public campaign. The same year in October 1994, British Pakistani Omar Sheikh Sayeed lured three British and one American backpacker away from their guest houses in Paharganj and held them hostage at a remote house in a Ghaziabad village. The next day, Sayeed delivered a note at Delhi’s BBC office, demanding the release of Masood Azhar and his two associates, along with passport details of hostages. The BBC office passed on the documents to the Ministry of External Affairs, who sought information from Ministry of Home Affairs and the Delhi Police. Upon confirmation that foreigners had been kidnapped, intelligence and security officials went into a tizzy. Nobody had a clue about the kidnappers, but good luck came their way when two UP police constables chased a petty thief, who had taken refuge in the same house where Sheikh, who had just returned from Delhi after delivering the note, was stationed. The British Pakistani took it as a police raid and started firing from an AK-47 rifle. Puzzled, the UP policemen called for reinforcements and found a few western hostages, all tied and trussed up. While other terrorists escaped, Omar Sheikh was arrested. Another bid to release him again came on July 4, 1995, when a little known terrorist group, Al-Faran, kidnapped six western tourists in the Pahalgam mountains. Author Adrian Levy says the incident changed the face of modern terrorism. Finally, in December 1999, the biggest plan to secure Azhar’s release was sought in exchange of passengers of the hijacked IC814 flight. Along with Omar Sheikh Sayeed and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Azhar was transported to Kandahar. Just a month ago, Sajjad Afghani was killed during an unsuccessful attempt at escape from the Kot Balwal Jail. Curiously, plane hijackers didn’t demand the release of Langrial, whose arrest had triggered the entire chain of events. He, after spending 18 years in jail, was finally repatriated in 2011. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Masood Azhar: 'The Moulvi with a limp' who became India's most wanted man

Samjhauta Express resumes service, departs from Lahore for India

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