Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Tuesday met foreign diplomats, including French and German ambassadors, and briefed them about the regional situation following the Pulwama terror attack.

"She briefed French Ambassador Marc Barety on the current situation", Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said.

Faisal said that Janjua also met Belgian ambassador Frdric Verheyden and German envoy Martin Kobler and apprised them about the overall security situation in the region.

The briefing was part of efforts by Pakistan to highlight its position on Kashmir and ties with India after the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based&nbsp; 
terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Several such briefing have been held for resident ambassadors in Islamabad since the Pulwama attack on February 14.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Tuesday met foreign diplomats, including French and German ambassadors, and briefed them about the regional situation following the Pulwama terror attack.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Tuesday met foreign diplomats, including French and German ambassadors, and briefed them about the regional situation following the Pulwama terror attack. "She briefed French Ambassador Marc Barety on the current situation", Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said. Faisal said that Janjua also met Belgian ambassador Frdric Verheyden and German envoy Martin Kobler and apprised them about the overall security situation in the region. The briefing was part of efforts by Pakistan to highlight its position on Kashmir and ties with India after the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Several such briefing have been held for resident ambassadors in Islamabad since the Pulwama attack on February 14.

Pak foreign secretary meets French, German and Belgian diplomats

Pakistan's strategy of sub-conventional warfare has failed: Husain Haqqani at WION Global Summit

Pakistan remains a problem in combating terror: Kanwal Sibal at WION Global Summit

Every country has an army but in Pakistan, an army has a country: G Parthasarathy at WION Global Summit

The Indian American community will hold peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions in the US over the Pulwama terrorist attack, alleging China provides tacit support to Pakistan which uses non-State actors against its neighbours.

A candlelight protest will be held outside the Pakistan Consulate in Chicago after which the protesters will march to the Chinese consulate on Thursday, February 21, the organisers have said.&nbsp;

The main objectives of the protest, according to the organisers, are to "expose the barbaric nature" of Pakistani terrorism and to wake up the world against Pakistan- and China-supported terrorism, a media release said.

The next day, the Indian Americans in New York and New Jersey area would hold another peaceful protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Manhattan, New York.

"It is time that the United States and rest of the world speak in unison against Pakistani establishment's continued support to terrorists in recruiting, training, arming, finance and providing safe haven," eminent Indian American Dr Bharat Barai said in a statement.&nbsp;

Billions of dollars of US aid to Pakistan have done little to curb the terror outfits in Pakistan, he rued.

Forty Indian paramilitary personnel were killed on February 14 when a JeM terrorist rammed his explosive-laden in car in a vehicle carrying the jawans.&nbsp;

"This is not an act of terrorism but act of war. Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for this. Time has come to take decisive and ruthless action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity," said New York-based Jagdish Sewhani, the president of the American India Public Affairs Committee.

"The Indian community is deeply pained by this mindless barbaric act. We are grieving for our slain soldiers and at the same time we want Pakistan to take strict actions against the terrorists," said a local Republican leader from Illinois J D Diganvker.

"We want the world community to take note. We all know terrorism has no place in the world today and we want the world to urge Pakistan to respond with stringent actions," he said, adding the protestors plan to submit memorandums to the Pakistani and Chinese consulates in Chicago.

It is time to declare Pakistan a terrorist State and isolate it completely -- both economically and militarily -- until it mend its ways, demanded community organiser Nirav Patel. &nbsp; &nbsp;

China's designs to use rogue nations such as Pakistan and North Korea to further its expansionist agenda is no secret, he alleged.

"It is also critical to urge China, which has repeatedly blocked the efforts in the UN by both the US and India to declare Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Organization, as a global terrorist," he said.

Community leader Amitabh Mittal said Pakistan was not just an India or a US problem. "It's an international problem that has become a breeding ground for terrorists who expand their network (e.G. Al-Qaeda and its offshoots) worldwide wreaking havoc and destruction in several countries in the world."

Meanwhile, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha mandirs globally, as well as the 100 BAPS mandirs across North America, held special prayer services for&nbsp; 
the Pulwama Attack Victims.

The BAPS, as an organisation and its followers, have also pledged financial support of Rs 10 million to support the victims and their family members on the road to recovery.&nbsp;

"Terror against anybody is terror against us all," said Jeff Spivey, the Chief of Irving Police Department, Texas, after attending a special prayer service organized by the BAPS.

Condemning in the strongest terms the dastardly act of terror in Pulwama, Indian American Muslim Council in a statement called for a thorough investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. It demanded action against the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Strongly condemning the Pulwama terrorist attack, Washington DC-based Voice of Karachi, which represents the expatriate Mohajir community, alleged that attackers enjoys official patronage in Pakistan.&nbsp;

It is vital for peace in South Asia as well as Pakistan's own future to end all overt and covert support for non-State actors and eliminate all safe havens granted to such militant proxies, said its leader Nadeem Nusrat.

Welcoming the US statement calling for Pakistan to take swift action against terror groups operating from its soil, Nusrat said the United States has played a leading and decisive role in the elimination of many terror sanctuaries around the world.&nbsp;

People of South Asia are looking towards the US administration to play a similar role in establishing lasting peace in the region, he said.

The Indian American community will hold peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions in the US over the Pulwama terrorist attack, alleging China provides tacit support to Pakistan which uses non-State actors against its neighbours.

The Indian American community will hold peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions in the US over the Pulwama terrorist attack, alleging China provides tacit support to Pakistan which uses non-State actors against its neighbours. A candlelight protest will be held outside the Pakistan Consulate in Chicago after which the protesters will march to the Chinese consulate on Thursday, February 21, the organisers have said. The main objectives of the protest, according to the organisers, are to "expose the barbaric nature" of Pakistani terrorism and to wake up the world against Pakistan- and China-supported terrorism, a media release said. The next day, the Indian Americans in New York and New Jersey area would hold another peaceful protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Manhattan, New York. "It is time that the United States and rest of the world speak in unison against Pakistani establishment's continued support to terrorists in recruiting, training, arming, finance and providing safe haven," eminent Indian American Dr Bharat Barai said in a statement. Billions of dollars of US aid to Pakistan have done little to curb the terror outfits in Pakistan, he rued. Forty Indian paramilitary personnel were killed on February 14 when a JeM terrorist rammed his explosive-laden in car in a vehicle carrying the jawans. "This is not an act of terrorism but act of war. Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for this. Time has come to take decisive and ruthless action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity," said New York-based Jagdish Sewhani, the president of the American India Public Affairs Committee. "The Indian community is deeply pained by this mindless barbaric act. We are grieving for our slain soldiers and at the same time we want Pakistan to take strict actions against the terrorists," said a local Republican leader from Illinois J D Diganvker. "We want the world community to take note. We all know terrorism has no place in the world today and we want the world to urge Pakistan to respond with stringent actions," he said, adding the protestors plan to submit memorandums to the Pakistani and Chinese consulates in Chicago. It is time to declare Pakistan a terrorist State and isolate it completely -- both economically and militarily -- until it mend its ways, demanded community organiser Nirav Patel. China's designs to use rogue nations such as Pakistan and North Korea to further its expansionist agenda is no secret, he alleged. "It is also critical to urge China, which has repeatedly blocked the efforts in the UN by both the US and India to declare Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Organization, as a global terrorist," he said. Community leader Amitabh Mittal said Pakistan was not just an India or a US problem. "It's an international problem that has become a breeding ground for terrorists who expand their network (e.G. Al-Qaeda and its offshoots) worldwide wreaking havoc and destruction in several countries in the world." Meanwhile, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha mandirs globally, as well as the 100 BAPS mandirs across North America, held special prayer services for the Pulwama Attack Victims. The BAPS, as an organisation and its followers, have also pledged financial support of Rs 10 million to support the victims and their family members on the road to recovery. "Terror against anybody is terror against us all," said Jeff Spivey, the Chief of Irving Police Department, Texas, after attending a special prayer service organized by the BAPS. Condemning in the strongest terms the dastardly act of terror in Pulwama, Indian American Muslim Council in a statement called for a thorough investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. It demanded action against the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group. Strongly condemning the Pulwama terrorist attack, Washington DC-based Voice of Karachi, which represents the expatriate Mohajir community, alleged that attackers enjoys official patronage in Pakistan. It is vital for peace in South Asia as well as Pakistan's own future to end all overt and covert support for non-State actors and eliminate all safe havens granted to such militant proxies, said its leader Nadeem Nusrat. Welcoming the US statement calling for Pakistan to take swift action against terror groups operating from its soil, Nusrat said the United States has played a leading and decisive role in the elimination of many terror sanctuaries around the world. People of South Asia are looking towards the US administration to play a similar role in establishing lasting peace in the region, he said.

Pulwama attack: Indian Americans to protest outside Chinese, Pak diplomatic missions in US 

Pakistan has to be taken to task: Former Indian Army chief at WION Global Summit

Soon after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the nation on the Pulwama terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir, an image on his official Facebook page was posted with the&nbsp;caption: "Don't mess with my country."

In a video message, five days after the Pulwama terror attack, Khan responded to India's allegations on Pakistan's involvement in the suicide strike carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

The post with Khan's image and a Pakistani flag in the background included some quotes from his address.

"If India thinks it will attack Pakistan then we will not just think but retaliate," said the quote written in Urdu.

"We all know that it is easy to start a war, but very difficult to end".

"I hope better sense will prevail".

"The issue of Kashmir can only be resolved through talks".

Soon after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the nation on the Pulwama terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir, an image on his official Facebook page was posted with the caption: "Don't mess with my country.

Soon after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the nation on the Pulwama terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir, an image on his official Facebook page was posted with the caption: "Don't mess with my country." In a video message, five days after the Pulwama terror attack, Khan responded to India's allegations on Pakistan's involvement in the suicide strike carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. The post with Khan's image and a Pakistani flag in the background included some quotes from his address. "If India thinks it will attack Pakistan then we will not just think but retaliate," said the quote written in Urdu. "We all know that it is easy to start a war, but very difficult to end". "I hope better sense will prevail". "The issue of Kashmir can only be resolved through talks".

'Don't mess with my country', says Pak PM Imran Khan on Facebook

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/awantipora-crpf-convoy-hit-by-explosives-laden-vehicle-several-jawans-killed-197418">horrible situation</a>" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

Separately, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino expressed "strong support" for India and asked Pakistan to "punish anyone responsible" for the February 14 attack.&nbsp;

The suicide attack has led to an&nbsp;escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that it would be "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-india-blaming-pakistan-without-evidence-says-imran-khan-198266">wonderful</a>" if the two South Asian neighbours get along.

"I have watched. I have got a lot of reports on it. We will have comment (on it) at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along," Trump said in response to a question.

"That (the terrorist attack) was a horrible situation. We are getting reports. We will have a statement to put out," Trump said.

At a separate news conference, the State Department Deputy Spokesperson said the US has been in close communication with the Indian government "to express not only our condolences but our strong support".

"We urge Pakistan to fully cooperate with the investigation into the attack and to punish anyone responsible," Palladino said. In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, the US has also been in contact with Pakistan, he said.&nbsp;

Following the terrorist attack, Trump's National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has supported India's right to self-defense.&nbsp;

Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, Bolton, and the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in separate statements have asked Pakistan to immediately take action against the JeM and its leaders and end support to terrorist safe havens.&nbsp;

The CRPF personnel were killed when a JeM terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a vehicle carrying them in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. PTI&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement. Separately, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino expressed "strong support" for India and asked Pakistan to "punish anyone responsible" for the February 14 attack. The suicide attack has led to an escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that it would be "wonderful" if the two South Asian neighbours get along. "I have watched. I have got a lot of reports on it. We will have comment (on it) at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along," Trump said in response to a question. "That (the terrorist attack) was a horrible situation. We are getting reports. We will have a statement to put out," Trump said. At a separate news conference, the State Department Deputy Spokesperson said the US has been in close communication with the Indian government "to express not only our condolences but our strong support". "We urge Pakistan to fully cooperate with the investigation into the attack and to punish anyone responsible," Palladino said. In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, the US has also been in contact with Pakistan, he said. Following the terrorist attack, Trump's National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has supported India's right to self-defense. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, Bolton, and the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in separate statements have asked Pakistan to immediately take action against the JeM and its leaders and end support to terrorist safe havens. The CRPF personnel were killed when a JeM terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a vehicle carrying them in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. PTI

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation'

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saudi-arabias-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-arrives-in-india-on-a-two-day-visit-198375">Mohammed bin Salman arrived in New Delhi</a> on Tuesday, with his business mission under threat of being overshadowed by soaring tensions between India and Pakistan.

The crown prince, who wants to persuade the world's fastest-growing major economy to consume more Saudi oil, was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave his traditional bear hug for honoured guests.&nbsp;

The prince arrived from a two-day stay in Pakistan as it clashed with its giant neighbour over responsibility for a suicide attack in Kashmir last Thursday that left at least 40 members of Indian security forces dead.

The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and has sparked calls in India for a firm response.

The latest showdown between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which is causing mounting international concern, is expected to figure prominently in Prince Mohammed's talks with Modi on Wednesday.

"Our objective is to try to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, neighbouring countries, and to see if there is a path forward to resolving those differences peacefully," Saudi minister of state Adel al-Jubeir said in Islamabad on Monday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan offered Tuesday to investigate the attack if India provided proof of its involvement -- but said his country would retaliate if attacked.

India rebuffed Khan's comments and called in turn for "credible and visible action" to rein in militants.

Washington threw its weight behind India Tuesday, pressing Pakistan to punish those behind the Kashmir attack.&nbsp;

"We have been in close communication with the government of India to express not only our condolences but our strong support for India as it confronts this terrorism," deputy US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters.

"We urge Pakistan to fully cooperate with the investigation into the attack and to punish anyone responsible."

Before the attack, the agenda for the crown prince's visit had been dominated by oil and other key investment decisions.

Saudi oil rivalry with Iran&nbsp; 
Saudi Arabia currently supplies about 20 per cent of India's crude oil and wants to definitively push aside arch-rival Iran as a source.

Iran at one stage last year overtook Saudi Arabia among India's suppliers but US sanctions since have severely hit the Islamic Republic's oil business. &nbsp;

Modi has also wooed Saudi investment in recent years for flagship infrastructure programmes. &nbsp;

"I think even in the backdrop of this attack, the economic ties -- which are beneficial to both the countries -- will remain the focus of the meetings," Kabir Taneja, an associate fellow with Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, told AFP.

"India and Saudi Arabia know what they want from each other: India will be looking for leverage on oil pricing while Saudi Arabia, which is trying to diversify its economy, is looking at access to rising India's market," he added.

Taneja said India would aim to use these closer economic ties to push for Saudi Arabia's "unconditional support" regarding Pakistan.

The crown prince is on a three-country Asian tour as the kingdom seeks to recover its reputation after last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

Prince Mohammed was treated to a colourful welcome, including Punjabi drumming, at the airport with Modi before the two leaders sped off in a convoy.&nbsp;

The crown prince and the prime minister will lead bilateral talks Wednesday before they are due to issue a statement and announce agreements.&nbsp;

Prince Mohammed is to leave India late Wednesday and is expected to spend two days in China.

Analysts have said the tour is part of a pivot to rising Asia as a growing oil market and a retort to the West where the crown prince has faced harsh criticism over the Khashoggi affair.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, with his business mission under threat of being overshadowed by soaring tensions between India and Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, with his business mission under threat of being overshadowed by soaring tensions between India and Pakistan. The crown prince, who wants to persuade the world's fastest-growing major economy to consume more Saudi oil, was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave his traditional bear hug for honoured guests. The prince arrived from a two-day stay in Pakistan as it clashed with its giant neighbour over responsibility for a suicide attack in Kashmir last Thursday that left at least 40 members of Indian security forces dead. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and has sparked calls in India for a firm response. The latest showdown between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which is causing mounting international concern, is expected to figure prominently in Prince Mohammed's talks with Modi on Wednesday. "Our objective is to try to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, neighbouring countries, and to see if there is a path forward to resolving those differences peacefully," Saudi minister of state Adel al-Jubeir said in Islamabad on Monday. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan offered Tuesday to investigate the attack if India provided proof of its involvement -- but said his country would retaliate if attacked. India rebuffed Khan's comments and called in turn for "credible and visible action" to rein in militants. Washington threw its weight behind India Tuesday, pressing Pakistan to punish those behind the Kashmir attack. "We have been in close communication with the government of India to express not only our condolences but our strong support for India as it confronts this terrorism," deputy US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters. "We urge Pakistan to fully cooperate with the investigation into the attack and to punish anyone responsible." Before the attack, the agenda for the crown prince's visit had been dominated by oil and other key investment decisions. Saudi oil rivalry with Iran Saudi Arabia currently supplies about 20 per cent of India's crude oil and wants to definitively push aside arch-rival Iran as a source. Iran at one stage last year overtook Saudi Arabia among India's suppliers but US sanctions since have severely hit the Islamic Republic's oil business. Modi has also wooed Saudi investment in recent years for flagship infrastructure programmes. "I think even in the backdrop of this attack, the economic ties -- which are beneficial to both the countries -- will remain the focus of the meetings," Kabir Taneja, an associate fellow with Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, told AFP. "India and Saudi Arabia know what they want from each other: India will be looking for leverage on oil pricing while Saudi Arabia, which is trying to diversify its economy, is looking at access to rising India's market," he added. Taneja said India would aim to use these closer economic ties to push for Saudi Arabia's "unconditional support" regarding Pakistan. The crown prince is on a three-country Asian tour as the kingdom seeks to recover its reputation after last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Prince Mohammed was treated to a colourful welcome, including Punjabi drumming, at the airport with Modi before the two leaders sped off in a convoy. The crown prince and the prime minister will lead bilateral talks Wednesday before they are due to issue a statement and announce agreements. Prince Mohammed is to leave India late Wednesday and is expected to spend two days in China. Analysts have said the tour is part of a pivot to rising Asia as a growing oil market and a retort to the West where the crown prince has faced harsh criticism over the Khashoggi affair.

India-Pakistan tensions threaten to derail Saudi crown prince's Delhi trip

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-says-pulwama-attack-a-horrible-situation-198413">Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation'</a>

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427">Unleashing the Power of South Asia: At WION conclave today in Dubai, thought leaders to discuss </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427">way</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427"> forward for the region</a>

WION is holding its 'Unleashing the Power of South Asia' conclave today in Dubai, the UAE. &nbsp;

The summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world to find common ground on the way forward for the South Asian region.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-urges-india-pakistan-to-take-immediate-steps-to-defuse-tensions-198397">UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace</a>

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.

The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-urges-india-pakistan-to-take-immediate-steps-to-defuse-tensions-198397">Britain to strip teen who joined Islamic State of citizenship: Lawyer</a>

Britain will strip citizenship from Shamima Begum, a UK teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and wants to return home with a newborn baby, a lawyer for her family said Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">Agreed to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">alliance</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407"> as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray</a>

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies.

Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement. Unleashing the Power of South Asia: At WION conclave today in Dubai, thought leaders to discuss way forward for the region WION is holding its 'Unleashing the Power of South Asia' conclave today in Dubai, the UAE. The summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world to find common ground on the way forward for the South Asian region. UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree. The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area. Britain to strip teen who joined Islamic State of citizenship: Lawyer Britain will strip citizenship from Shamima Begum, a UK teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and wants to return home with a newborn baby, a lawyer for her family said Tuesday. Agreed to alliance as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies. Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistan has sought the UN's urgent intervention to "defuse tensions" with India, the Foreign Office said Tuesday, following one of the worst terror attacks in <a href="Two JeM terrorists shot dead in Pulwama encounter, four soldiers killed ">Jammu and Kashmir</a> in which over 40 Indian soldiers were killed.

On February 14, at least 41 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Kashmir's Pulwama district in a suicide attack claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group.

The attack has heightened bilateral tensions with both New Delhi and Islamabad calling back their envoys.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday, seeking his help to reduce the tensions between the two countries, Pakistan Foreign Office said.

"It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India," Qureshi wrote in the letter.

India has rejected any third party intervention in the Kashmir issue and has maintained that all outstanding matters in Indo-Pak ties should be resolved bilaterally.

Qureshi, in his letter, said the Pulwama attack on Indian CRPF soldiers was ostensibly and even by Indian accounts carried out by a Kashmiri resident.

He said attributing the attack to Pakistan even before investigations was absurd.

He alleged that for domestic political reasons, India deliberately ratcheted up its hostile rhetoric against Pakistan and created a tense environment.

Qureshi wrote that India has also hinted that it may abandon the Indus Waters Treaty, asserting that it would be a grievous error.

"It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions," Qureshi said.

He said India must be asked to conduct an open and credible investigation in the terror attack.

"You may also consider asking India to refrain from further escalating the situation and enter into dialogue with Pakistan and the Kashmiris to calm the situation down," he wrote.

The foreign minister requested that the letter should be circulated to members of the Security Council and General Assembly.

Pakistan has repeatedly asked the UN to intervene in Kashmir. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also sought the US' intervention, saying America was the "most relevant" party to get involved in Kashmir issue.

The US, however, has time and again reiterated that it is for India and Pakistan to discuss and decide on the pace and scope of their bilateral relationship.

Pakistan has sought the UN's urgent intervention to "defuse tensions" with India, the Foreign Office said Tuesday, following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 40 Indian soldiers were killed.

Pakistan has sought the UN's urgent intervention to "defuse tensions" with India, the Foreign Office said Tuesday, following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 40 Indian soldiers were killed. On February 14, at least 41 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Kashmir's Pulwama district in a suicide attack claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group. The attack has heightened bilateral tensions with both New Delhi and Islamabad calling back their envoys. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday, seeking his help to reduce the tensions between the two countries, Pakistan Foreign Office said. "It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India," Qureshi wrote in the letter. India has rejected any third party intervention in the Kashmir issue and has maintained that all outstanding matters in Indo-Pak ties should be resolved bilaterally. Qureshi, in his letter, said the Pulwama attack on Indian CRPF soldiers was ostensibly and even by Indian accounts carried out by a Kashmiri resident. He said attributing the attack to Pakistan even before investigations was absurd. He alleged that for domestic political reasons, India deliberately ratcheted up its hostile rhetoric against Pakistan and created a tense environment. Qureshi wrote that India has also hinted that it may abandon the Indus Waters Treaty, asserting that it would be a grievous error. "It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions," Qureshi said. He said India must be asked to conduct an open and credible investigation in the terror attack. "You may also consider asking India to refrain from further escalating the situation and enter into dialogue with Pakistan and the Kashmiris to calm the situation down," he wrote. The foreign minister requested that the letter should be circulated to members of the Security Council and General Assembly. Pakistan has repeatedly asked the UN to intervene in Kashmir. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also sought the US' intervention, saying America was the "most relevant" party to get involved in Kashmir issue. The US, however, has time and again reiterated that it is for India and Pakistan to discuss and decide on the pace and scope of their bilateral relationship.

Pulwama attack: Pakistan asks UN to intervene, de-escalate tensions with India

The work to set up hi-tech surveillance system along the 2000-km sensitive stretch on the international border with Pakistan and Bangladesh is likely to be completed in next six to seven years, a senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said.

With the use of advanced technology, the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) will be able to spot intruders if they try to enter the Indian territory, BSF's Additional Director General A K Sharma told reporters here on Monday.

CIBMS is an integration of a number of new gadgets and technologies to ensure electronic surveillance of borders.

Sharma said under the CIBMS project, the work to install modern&nbsp;equipment in parts of India-Pakistan border in Jammu and some other areas has been completed, while it is in progress in the border areas adjoining Bangladesh.

"The work on CIBMS project is going on continuously. Under this, some of the world's best technologies are being used to keep a watch on the country's borders," he said.

He said the project has been implemented on priority basis in sensitive areas where conventional fences cannot be used in terrains like rivers, mountains and trenches.

"The CIBMS project can take six to seven years to complete. Under this project, a very strong technical mechanism is being put in place. This system will spot intruders if they try to enter our borders," Sharma said.

Initially, the project is being implemented on 2,000 km-long sensitive stretch along the border with Pakistan and Bangladesh, he added.

Sharma was in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh to attend BSF's 49th Inter-Frontier Platoon Weapons Shooting Competition's closing ceremony.

The work to set up hi-tech surveillance system along the 2000-km sensitive stretch on the international border with Pakistan and Bangladesh is likely to be completed in next six to seven years, a senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said.

The work to set up hi-tech surveillance system along the 2000-km sensitive stretch on the international border with Pakistan and Bangladesh is likely to be completed in next six to seven years, a senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said. With the use of advanced technology, the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) will be able to spot intruders if they try to enter the Indian territory, BSF's Additional Director General A K Sharma told reporters here on Monday. CIBMS is an integration of a number of new gadgets and technologies to ensure electronic surveillance of borders. Sharma said under the CIBMS project, the work to install modern equipment in parts of India-Pakistan border in Jammu and some other areas has been completed, while it is in progress in the border areas adjoining Bangladesh. "The work on CIBMS project is going on continuously. Under this, some of the world's best technologies are being used to keep a watch on the country's borders," he said. He said the project has been implemented on priority basis in sensitive areas where conventional fences cannot be used in terrains like rivers, mountains and trenches. "The CIBMS project can take six to seven years to complete. Under this project, a very strong technical mechanism is being put in place. This system will spot intruders if they try to enter our borders," Sharma said. Initially, the project is being implemented on 2,000 km-long sensitive stretch along the border with Pakistan and Bangladesh, he added. Sharma was in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh to attend BSF's 49th Inter-Frontier Platoon Weapons Shooting Competition's closing ceremony.

Work on hi-tech border surveillance project in progress: BSF

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday, which left at least 40 CRPF soldiers dead and five others critically wounded.

This heinous act has outraged the collective conscience of the Indian nation.&nbsp;

India’s relations with Pakistan have been defined by the Partition of British India in 1947, the Kashmir conundrum and military conflicts fought between the two countries. 
 
The relations have always been plagued by conflicts, hostilities and mutual suspicion, despite the fact that the two South Asian nations share common linguistic, cultural, geographical and economic linkages.

Pakistan’s use of terrorist groups as part of its security and foreign policy is a function of its obsession with India, which it perceives as an existential threat.

The ideology of Pakistan is built on the twin pillars of Islam and antagonism towards India. It has never realised that as a nation state, it needs to create a history of its own and move forward. It has preferred to live with historical appropriation and distortions of the past.

Pakistan could acknowledge its Indian heritage, as well as the Muslimness of a majority of its population. Instead, successive Pakistani leaders and its intelligentsia have preferred to build the idea of Pakistan on the pillars of Islam and antagonism towards India.

Pakistan’s paranoia regarding India is unfounded. There have been military engagements, an ongoing undeclared war, numerous skirmishes and stand-offs.

Many successful attempts to improve relations through the Shimla agreement, Agra and Lahore summits, among others, have fallen apart.

Relations soured after the Siachen conflict of 1980, the Kashmir insurgency of 1989 and the Kargil war of 1999.

The terror attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001 almost brought the two nuclear nations to the brink of war.

The Mumbai attack of 2008 by Pakistan-based terrorists and killing of hundreds and continuing support to terrorists in Kashmir to delegitimise the idea of India, continues.&nbsp;

Pakistan is on notice from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and China has removed its objections to put Islamabad on the ‘grey list’ by FATF.

Pakistan, on the global terrorist financing list from June 2018 onwards, risks endangering its handful of remaining banking links with the outside world, causing financial distress to its economy. Saudi Arabia, too, also removed its objection and now only Turkey stands in support of Pakistan.

President Donald Trump has said it is the time to expose and hold responsible those countries who breed, support and finance terror groups.

The Trump administration has charted out its South Asia policy in which it has accorded a larger role for India in Afghanistan and in South Asia and has put Pakistan on notice.

Pakistan’s temper tantrums and petulant responses are not convincing. Islamabad has to take a hard look at its options. It has to effectively shutdown terror factories being nurtured in its backyard.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received unconditional support from the opposition parties and the citizenry to deal with Pakistan sternly and flush out terrorists from Kashmir and elsewhere in the country.

The country is resolutely standing behind India and the Prime Minister in this critical hour.

India does not buy any formula on Kashmir, as it firmly believes terror and talks cannot go together until Pakistan brings to book the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack and accounts for other terror acts executed. The territorial status of Kashmir is clearly not negotiable.

The country expects the government and Prime Minister Modi to act now. It is examining various options, including the military option.

As part of its comprehensive strategy, India is resorting to an aggressive diplomatic offensive against Pakistan by mobilising its resources and pressuring the world to declare Pakistan as ‘terroristan’.

The Modi government is required to act decisively, keeping in view that the US needs Pakistan’s help to negotiate with the Taliban in Afghanistan, strike its defence deals with Russia, with China on the side of Russians.

Therefore India needs an appropriate and calibrated modus operandi to deal boldly with Pakistan. The nation and the global community is anxiously waiting and watching.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-world-watching-india-pm-for-response-to-pulwama-2721138">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday, which left at least 40 CRPF soldiers dead and five others critically wounded.

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday, which left at least 40 CRPF soldiers dead and five others critically wounded. This heinous act has outraged the collective conscience of the Indian nation. India’s relations with Pakistan have been defined by the Partition of British India in 1947, the Kashmir conundrum and military conflicts fought between the two countries. The relations have always been plagued by conflicts, hostilities and mutual suspicion, despite the fact that the two South Asian nations share common linguistic, cultural, geographical and economic linkages. Pakistan’s use of terrorist groups as part of its security and foreign policy is a function of its obsession with India, which it perceives as an existential threat. The ideology of Pakistan is built on the twin pillars of Islam and antagonism towards India. It has never realised that as a nation state, it needs to create a history of its own and move forward. It has preferred to live with historical appropriation and distortions of the past. Pakistan could acknowledge its Indian heritage, as well as the Muslimness of a majority of its population. Instead, successive Pakistani leaders and its intelligentsia have preferred to build the idea of Pakistan on the pillars of Islam and antagonism towards India. Pakistan’s paranoia regarding India is unfounded. There have been military engagements, an ongoing undeclared war, numerous skirmishes and stand-offs. Many successful attempts to improve relations through the Shimla agreement, Agra and Lahore summits, among others, have fallen apart. Relations soured after the Siachen conflict of 1980, the Kashmir insurgency of 1989 and the Kargil war of 1999. The terror attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001 almost brought the two nuclear nations to the brink of war. The Mumbai attack of 2008 by Pakistan-based terrorists and killing of hundreds and continuing support to terrorists in Kashmir to delegitimise the idea of India, continues. Pakistan is on notice from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and China has removed its objections to put Islamabad on the ‘grey list’ by FATF. Pakistan, on the global terrorist financing list from June 2018 onwards, risks endangering its handful of remaining banking links with the outside world, causing financial distress to its economy. Saudi Arabia, too, also removed its objection and now only Turkey stands in support of Pakistan. President Donald Trump has said it is the time to expose and hold responsible those countries who breed, support and finance terror groups. The Trump administration has charted out its South Asia policy in which it has accorded a larger role for India in Afghanistan and in South Asia and has put Pakistan on notice. Pakistan’s temper tantrums and petulant responses are not convincing. Islamabad has to take a hard look at its options. It has to effectively shutdown terror factories being nurtured in its backyard. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received unconditional support from the opposition parties and the citizenry to deal with Pakistan sternly and flush out terrorists from Kashmir and elsewhere in the country. The country is resolutely standing behind India and the Prime Minister in this critical hour. India does not buy any formula on Kashmir, as it firmly believes terror and talks cannot go together until Pakistan brings to book the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack and accounts for other terror acts executed. The territorial status of Kashmir is clearly not negotiable. The country expects the government and Prime Minister Modi to act now. It is examining various options, including the military option. As part of its comprehensive strategy, India is resorting to an aggressive diplomatic offensive against Pakistan by mobilising its resources and pressuring the world to declare Pakistan as ‘terroristan’. The Modi government is required to act decisively, keeping in view that the US needs Pakistan’s help to negotiate with the Taliban in Afghanistan, strike its defence deals with Russia, with China on the side of Russians. Therefore India needs an appropriate and calibrated modus operandi to deal boldly with Pakistan. The nation and the global community is anxiously waiting and watching. (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.)

Pulwama attack: India needs calibrated modus operandi to deal boldly with Pakistan

Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan speaks exclusively to WION

Pakistan nationals in Rajasthan's Bikaner have been asked to leave the city within 48 hours, the District Magistrate said in an order on Monday.

Following a terror attack in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-jem-terrorists-shot-dead-in-pulwama-encounter-four-soldiers-killed-198080">Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama</a> on February 14, in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the Bikaner administration has issued a list of orders under section 144 of CrPC.

The orders, effective immediately, prohibit hotels and lodges of the district from allowing Pakistan citizens to check-in.

Indian citizens have been asked not to employ any Pakistan citizens and not have any direct or indirect business relationship with the neighbouring country.

"In the matter of receiving spoof calls from Pakistan, no citizen through any medium of telecommunication will exchange any kind of army or sensitive information to unknown persons. Any person of Bikaner district will not use sim cards registered in Pakistan," according to the order.

The order is applicable for two months, but would not be applicable to Pakistan citizens who have registered with the foreigners' registration officer, the district administration said.

On Friday, India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status accorded to Pakistan -- a day after the Pulwama terror attack.

Pakistan nationals in Rajasthan's Bikaner have been asked to leave the city within 48 hours, the District Magistrate said in an order on Monday. Following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14, in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the Bikaner administration has issued a list of orders under section 144 of CrPC.

Pakistan nationals in Rajasthan's Bikaner have been asked to leave the city within 48 hours, the District Magistrate said in an order on Monday. Following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14, in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the Bikaner administration has issued a list of orders under section 144 of CrPC. The orders, effective immediately, prohibit hotels and lodges of the district from allowing Pakistan citizens to check-in. Indian citizens have been asked not to employ any Pakistan citizens and not have any direct or indirect business relationship with the neighbouring country. "In the matter of receiving spoof calls from Pakistan, no citizen through any medium of telecommunication will exchange any kind of army or sensitive information to unknown persons. Any person of Bikaner district will not use sim cards registered in Pakistan," according to the order. The order is applicable for two months, but would not be applicable to Pakistan citizens who have registered with the foreigners' registration officer, the district administration said. On Friday, India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status accorded to Pakistan -- a day after the Pulwama terror attack.

After Pulwama attack, administration orders Pak nationals to leave Bikaner within 48 hours

Watch: WION Dispatch, 19th February, 2019

Pakistan’s nefarious agenda of filling coffers of Islamabad through systematic political exploitation of Balochistan, compounded by heightened military operations has left the resource and mineral-rich province as one of the most impoverished regions across the world. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Widespread economic depredations through a structured design are the reality of Balochistan.&nbsp;

The locals, activists, and leaders who have dared raise their voice against the oppression have met with a brute high handedness of security forces. &nbsp;

However, the freedom fighters who have been unrelenting in challenging the oppressive status quo in the region have resolved to resist the colonial forces of Pakistan.

Underlining the atrocities being meted out to people in Balochistan Bashir Zaib Baloch, the new head of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said the situation here is much grave than Palestine, Iraq, and in Afghanistan and sought international support in exposing Pakistan. Bashir Zaib Baloch took charge of BLA after its commander Aslam Baloch was killed in a suicide bombing last December.

Through a recorded video he said: &nbsp;“Today, I say this to the entire world, to India, to the United States of America and the European Union; whether you believe it or not, hear it or not. It has been said before by our friends as well; if the manner in which Baloch genocide is being carried out gets exposed, the problems of Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan will appear insignificant.”

The atrocities on Baloch people have increased since Islamabad and Beijing signed the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).&nbsp;

The country has only stepped up its systematic violence in order to pave way for the much-hyped China Pakistan Economic Corridor (or CPEC) in recent times.

The people in Balochistan, who are championing the cause of the Free Balochistan Movement, are opposing the project which they say has exploited all their natural resources. Baloch freedom fighters, however, have vowed to resist this subjugation till the end of their lives. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bashir Zaib Baloch added that “Pakistan and China, on the pretext of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), Gwadar Port, and Saindak project have unleashed their satanic designs in the region. Balochs are resisting them and will continue to do so till the end of their life as it is a matter of their identity. Still, they (Pakistan and China) have been aggressively plundering our resources. They have been trying hard to declare the unsuccessful project of CPEC as a game changer. Pakistan and China have been systematically killing Balochs.”

The fundamental fact with regards to Pakistan is that anyone who doesn’t belong to a particular feudal elite community -- predominantly comprising army generals and political leaders from its most favoured province of Punjab, are made to live a second-class citizen life. Whether it is the Balochs, Shias, Hazaras or Ahmedis -- none have been able to escape the state brutality by Pakistan.

Over the past few years, thousands of Baloch political activists and intellectuals have disappeared, many brutally killed by Pakistan’s snooping agency and army.

“Today, we are forced to kill or get killed. Today, we are losing our friends and families with a hope that world will listen to us and one day we’ll be able to get out of this bloodbath and will be able to escape the misrule of this Pakistani government,” said Bashir &nbsp;Although the region of Balochistan has been going through one of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, it has failed to gather enough international attention.

In spite of the lack of international support, Baloch freedom fighters have intensified their rebellion against the Pakistani establishment. Baloch Liberation Army chief’s statements have certainly provided reinforcement to the movement that Pakistan is hell-bent on crushing through severe high handedness. &nbsp;

Pakistan’s nefarious agenda of filling coffers of Islamabad through systematic political exploitation of Balochistan, compounded by heightened military operations has left the resource and mineral-rich province as one of the most impoverished regions across the world.

Pakistan’s nefarious agenda of filling coffers of Islamabad through systematic political exploitation of Balochistan, compounded by heightened military operations has left the resource and mineral-rich province as one of the most impoverished regions across the world. Widespread economic depredations through a structured design are the reality of Balochistan. The locals, activists, and leaders who have dared raise their voice against the oppression have met with a brute high handedness of security forces. However, the freedom fighters who have been unrelenting in challenging the oppressive status quo in the region have resolved to resist the colonial forces of Pakistan. Underlining the atrocities being meted out to people in Balochistan Bashir Zaib Baloch, the new head of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said the situation here is much grave than Palestine, Iraq, and in Afghanistan and sought international support in exposing Pakistan. Bashir Zaib Baloch took charge of BLA after its commander Aslam Baloch was killed in a suicide bombing last December. Through a recorded video he said: “Today, I say this to the entire world, to India, to the United States of America and the European Union; whether you believe it or not, hear it or not. It has been said before by our friends as well; if the manner in which Baloch genocide is being carried out gets exposed, the problems of Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan will appear insignificant.” The atrocities on Baloch people have increased since Islamabad and Beijing signed the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The country has only stepped up its systematic violence in order to pave way for the much-hyped China Pakistan Economic Corridor (or CPEC) in recent times. The people in Balochistan, who are championing the cause of the Free Balochistan Movement, are opposing the project which they say has exploited all their natural resources. Baloch freedom fighters, however, have vowed to resist this subjugation till the end of their lives. Bashir Zaib Baloch added that “Pakistan and China, on the pretext of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), Gwadar Port, and Saindak project have unleashed their satanic designs in the region. Balochs are resisting them and will continue to do so till the end of their life as it is a matter of their identity. Still, they (Pakistan and China) have been aggressively plundering our resources. They have been trying hard to declare the unsuccessful project of CPEC as a game changer. Pakistan and China have been systematically killing Balochs.” The fundamental fact with regards to Pakistan is that anyone who doesn’t belong to a particular feudal elite community -- predominantly comprising army generals and political leaders from its most favoured province of Punjab, are made to live a second-class citizen life. Whether it is the Balochs, Shias, Hazaras or Ahmedis -- none have been able to escape the state brutality by Pakistan. Over the past few years, thousands of Baloch political activists and intellectuals have disappeared, many brutally killed by Pakistan’s snooping agency and army. “Today, we are forced to kill or get killed. Today, we are losing our friends and families with a hope that world will listen to us and one day we’ll be able to get out of this bloodbath and will be able to escape the misrule of this Pakistani government,” said Bashir Although the region of Balochistan has been going through one of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, it has failed to gather enough international attention. In spite of the lack of international support, Baloch freedom fighters have intensified their rebellion against the Pakistani establishment. Baloch Liberation Army chief’s statements have certainly provided reinforcement to the movement that Pakistan is hell-bent on crushing through severe high handedness.

Baloch commander vows to resist Pakistani subjugation till end of life

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-honors-saudi-crown-prince-with-highest-civilian-award-198136">Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad-bin Salman</a> will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday on his maiden visit to the country.

India is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the two countries are expected to sign ties to enhance cooperation in various fields during the "landmark event in high-level bilateral ties".

"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visit to India will be a landmark event in the history of our high-level bilateral engagements and they will certainly take an upward strategic direction,” Arab News quoted Indian ambassador in Riyadh Ahmad Javed as saying.

MBS, as the Saudi Crown Prince is also known, will hold bilateral talks during his two-day visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a wide range of issues of mutual interest including counter-terrorism, defence and security.&nbsp;

India and Saudi Arabia are also expected to sign five MoUs in fields ranging from defence, healthcare etc.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, the talks on investment of US $44 billion by Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in Ratnagiri Refinery project are also likely to take place.

The Saudi crown prince will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, senior officials and leading Saudi businessmen.

The visit by MBS could be considered as important after the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by Pakistan-backed JeM terrorist group, as India adopted coercive diplomacy against Pakistan.

In addition, there is a big transformation in Saudi understanding of terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years. Saudi made a very strong denouncement of Pulwama terror attack and did not accept Pakistan`s narrative.

India and Saudi Arabia are also expected to hold joint Naval exercises in the near future in efforts to deepen the defence ties.

Recently, Saudi Arabia has ranked India as the 8th strategic partner. Bilateral trade between the countries stood at US$ 27.48 billion during the last financial year 2017-18.

During the forthcoming visit, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. The visit follows the highly successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in April 2016.

India and Saudi Arabia have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations anchored in mutually beneficial partnership and extensive people to people contacts. In recent years, there has been significant progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including energy security, trade and investment, infrastructure, defence and security.

About 2.7 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage to over 1,75,000 Indians every year.

The Saudi Crown Prince has embarked on a four-country Asian tour that besides India, also includes Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia. He recently concluded his Pakistan visit.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad-bin Salman will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday on his maiden visit to the country. India is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the two countries are expected to sign ties to enhance cooperation in various fields during the "landmark event in high-level bilateral ties".

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad-bin Salman will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday on his maiden visit to the country. India is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the two countries are expected to sign ties to enhance cooperation in various fields during the "landmark event in high-level bilateral ties". "Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visit to India will be a landmark event in the history of our high-level bilateral engagements and they will certainly take an upward strategic direction,” Arab News quoted Indian ambassador in Riyadh Ahmad Javed as saying. MBS, as the Saudi Crown Prince is also known, will hold bilateral talks during his two-day visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a wide range of issues of mutual interest including counter-terrorism, defence and security. India and Saudi Arabia are also expected to sign five MoUs in fields ranging from defence, healthcare etc. According to the External Affairs Ministry, the talks on investment of US $44 billion by Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in Ratnagiri Refinery project are also likely to take place. The Saudi crown prince will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, senior officials and leading Saudi businessmen. The visit by MBS could be considered as important after the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by Pakistan-backed JeM terrorist group, as India adopted coercive diplomacy against Pakistan. In addition, there is a big transformation in Saudi understanding of terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years. Saudi made a very strong denouncement of Pulwama terror attack and did not accept Pakistan`s narrative. India and Saudi Arabia are also expected to hold joint Naval exercises in the near future in efforts to deepen the defence ties. Recently, Saudi Arabia has ranked India as the 8th strategic partner. Bilateral trade between the countries stood at US$ 27.48 billion during the last financial year 2017-18. During the forthcoming visit, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. The visit follows the highly successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in April 2016. India and Saudi Arabia have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations anchored in mutually beneficial partnership and extensive people to people contacts. In recent years, there has been significant progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including energy security, trade and investment, infrastructure, defence and security. About 2.7 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage to over 1,75,000 Indians every year. The Saudi Crown Prince has embarked on a four-country Asian tour that besides India, also includes Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia. He recently concluded his Pakistan visit.

Saudi Crown Prince Salman to land in India today

Dispatch: Pakistan will retaliate, if India attacks, says Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Dispatch: India urges ICJ to order immediate release of Kulbhushan Jadhav

Pakistan said on Monday that India did not provide answers to the key questions it raised at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-pakistan-embarrassed-to-disclose-charges-against-jadhav-says-india-at-icj-198089">Kulbhushan Jadhav</a>, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court.

The four-day hearing in the Jadhav case opened Monday at the ICJ headquarters in The Hague amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed at least 41&nbsp; 
CRPF soldiers.

On the first day of hearing, India urged the ICJ to annul Jadhav's death sentence and order his immediate release, saying the verdict by a Pakistani military court based on a "farcical case" hopelessly fails to satisfy even the minimum standards of due process.

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal in a video message posted on social media said that Indian arguments had nothing new.

"There was nothing new in India's argument on the issues which we raised, like our question about how he (Jadhav) got the passport with name of Hussain Mubarak Patel and how he travelled 17 times to India using that passport," he said.

Faisal said India also did not show any document like pension book or bank statement to prove that Jadhav had retired from the Indian Navy.

He said India demanded "acquittal, release and return" of Jadhav but "it had no answer to the question that how justice will be done with thousands of people who were killed due to his sabotage and terrorist activities." 
Faisal said Pakistan would submit its argument on Tuesday.

The ICJ set a timetable for public hearings from February 18 to 21.

It is expected that the ICJ decision may be delivered by the summer of 2019.

Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India.

India moved the ICJ in May the same year for the "egregious violation" of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to the 48-year-old Indian national.

Pakistan said on Monday that India did not provide answers to the key questions it raised at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court.

Pakistan said on Monday that India did not provide answers to the key questions it raised at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court. The four-day hearing in the Jadhav case opened Monday at the ICJ headquarters in The Hague amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed at least 41 CRPF soldiers. On the first day of hearing, India urged the ICJ to annul Jadhav's death sentence and order his immediate release, saying the verdict by a Pakistani military court based on a "farcical case" hopelessly fails to satisfy even the minimum standards of due process. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal in a video message posted on social media said that Indian arguments had nothing new. "There was nothing new in India's argument on the issues which we raised, like our question about how he (Jadhav) got the passport with name of Hussain Mubarak Patel and how he travelled 17 times to India using that passport," he said. Faisal said India also did not show any document like pension book or bank statement to prove that Jadhav had retired from the Indian Navy. He said India demanded "acquittal, release and return" of Jadhav but "it had no answer to the question that how justice will be done with thousands of people who were killed due to his sabotage and terrorist activities." Faisal said Pakistan would submit its argument on Tuesday. The ICJ set a timetable for public hearings from February 18 to 21. It is expected that the ICJ decision may be delivered by the summer of 2019. Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India. India moved the ICJ in May the same year for the "egregious violation" of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to the 48-year-old Indian national.

Pakistan claims India did not provide answers to key questions in Jadhav case

Does it make sense for India to get words of help from a superpower called the United States of America that no longer behaves like one? Does it make sense for India to have hostile neighbours when it has the world's fastest-growing major economy? Should it do something that could exacerbate tensions that affects the mood of investors?&nbsp;

Tough challenges face Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence after last week's horrendous car bomb attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists on a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force jawans at Pulwama in Kashmir, in which at least 40 men were martyred.

It is fine to light candles to mourn the victims and cry out in outrage against Pakistan's help for jihadi terror groups on its soil, and fine for the Army to carry out retaliatory operations as it happened in the aftermath of the attack. But one harsh reality remains: the world has changed so much, that a painstakingly built-up diplomatic advantage that India had in cornering Pakistan after the 9/11 attacks in New York by Al Qaeda in 2001 and then the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 has been considerably eroded by the flow of events since then.

What this means is that even as India reserves the right to secure its territory from attackers and terrorists, it is a lonely game in which it has to walk diplomatic tightropes all around.

Pakistan is neither the failed state it is often painted to be, nor isolated in the international community. While Indians lit candles to mourn dead jawans, Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad was playing chauffeur to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, whose team pledged $20 billion investments into Pakistan - and that is about Rs 140,000 crore! Contrast that with the fact that the annual export from Pakistan to India affected by New Delhi withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan is less than $ 0.5 billion.

China, which has rejected India's attempts at the United Nations to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist despite overwhelming evidence is clearly not helping India in containing terrorism. Please also recall that Pakistan's then army chief and later miltary dictator Pervez Musharraf was in Beijing when the Kargil war broke out in 1999 - under his supervision.

Last month, Pakistan and China decided to widen the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including expansion of activities in the Gwadar Port in Balochistan. CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and involves investments estimated at $62 billion - and that is worth about Rs 440,000 crore! The Chinese dragon won't spew that kind of money without a quid-pro-quo. Beijing's mandarins now have a clear access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.

All this is happening while the US is busy pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

India now has to deal with a new geopolitical reality in which Washington is less interested in policing the planet while China is helping Pakistan. Some of that Saudi money coming into Pakistan may well trickle towards jihadi groups. Islamabad is cleverly hedging its bets by keeping both the Saudis and the Chinese happy. Failed state, did someone say?&nbsp;

Meanwhile, as India warms up to Iran, Saudi Arabia is slamming Tehran for blaming it for an attack last week that killed 27 members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard. Tehran, after blaming the Saudis, now blames Pakistan. It is all very messy but it is vital to note the attack took place on the Iranian side of Balochistan.

Officially, everybody condemns terrorism but ground realities are different.

India now has the lever of trade to tackle Beijing. China is the leading maker or exporter of smartphones sold in India and its investors are hot in India's digital economy. The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek a ban on Chinese companies in India. India imported Chinese goods worth $68 billion in 2017 and its exports to China was about $16 billion.&nbsp;

India's best bet could stem from the fact that the US and China are also in the middle of a trade war while Beijing badly needs help to boost its sagging economy. But India also gets investments into India from China, with billion-dollar-valuation startups like PayTm gaining significantly. It is a complicated chessboard, but trade seems to be the best lever India can use to make China see reason.&nbsp;

Indians lighting candles for Pulwama victims may well pause a moment to think of the dragon in the neighbourhood. The government could do with some help.

 
(This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/lonely-after-pulwama-indias-diplomatic-challenge-as-saudi-arabia-and-china-embrace-pakistan-2181690.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

Does it make sense for India to get words of help from a superpower called the United States of America that no longer behaves like one? Does it make sense for India to have hostile neighbours when it has the world's fastest-growing major economy?

Does it make sense for India to get words of help from a superpower called the United States of America that no longer behaves like one? Does it make sense for India to have hostile neighbours when it has the world's fastest-growing major economy? Should it do something that could exacerbate tensions that affects the mood of investors? Tough challenges face Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence after last week's horrendous car bomb attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists on a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force jawans at Pulwama in Kashmir, in which at least 40 men were martyred. It is fine to light candles to mourn the victims and cry out in outrage against Pakistan's help for jihadi terror groups on its soil, and fine for the Army to carry out retaliatory operations as it happened in the aftermath of the attack. But one harsh reality remains: the world has changed so much, that a painstakingly built-up diplomatic advantage that India had in cornering Pakistan after the 9/11 attacks in New York by Al Qaeda in 2001 and then the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 has been considerably eroded by the flow of events since then. What this means is that even as India reserves the right to secure its territory from attackers and terrorists, it is a lonely game in which it has to walk diplomatic tightropes all around. Pakistan is neither the failed state it is often painted to be, nor isolated in the international community. While Indians lit candles to mourn dead jawans, Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad was playing chauffeur to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, whose team pledged $20 billion investments into Pakistan - and that is about Rs 140,000 crore! Contrast that with the fact that the annual export from Pakistan to India affected by New Delhi withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan is less than $ 0.5 billion. China, which has rejected India's attempts at the United Nations to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist despite overwhelming evidence is clearly not helping India in containing terrorism. Please also recall that Pakistan's then army chief and later miltary dictator Pervez Musharraf was in Beijing when the Kargil war broke out in 1999 - under his supervision. Last month, Pakistan and China decided to widen the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including expansion of activities in the Gwadar Port in Balochistan. CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and involves investments estimated at $62 billion - and that is worth about Rs 440,000 crore! The Chinese dragon won't spew that kind of money without a quid-pro-quo. Beijing's mandarins now have a clear access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan. All this is happening while the US is busy pulling its troops out of Afghanistan. India now has to deal with a new geopolitical reality in which Washington is less interested in policing the planet while China is helping Pakistan. Some of that Saudi money coming into Pakistan may well trickle towards jihadi groups. Islamabad is cleverly hedging its bets by keeping both the Saudis and the Chinese happy. Failed state, did someone say? Meanwhile, as India warms up to Iran, Saudi Arabia is slamming Tehran for blaming it for an attack last week that killed 27 members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard. Tehran, after blaming the Saudis, now blames Pakistan. It is all very messy but it is vital to note the attack took place on the Iranian side of Balochistan. Officially, everybody condemns terrorism but ground realities are different. India now has the lever of trade to tackle Beijing. China is the leading maker or exporter of smartphones sold in India and its investors are hot in India's digital economy. The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek a ban on Chinese companies in India. India imported Chinese goods worth $68 billion in 2017 and its exports to China was about $16 billion. India's best bet could stem from the fact that the US and China are also in the middle of a trade war while Beijing badly needs help to boost its sagging economy. But India also gets investments into India from China, with billion-dollar-valuation startups like PayTm gaining significantly. It is a complicated chessboard, but trade seems to be the best lever India can use to make China see reason. Indians lighting candles for Pulwama victims may well pause a moment to think of the dragon in the neighbourhood. The government could do with some help. (This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India faces diplomatic challenge as Saudi Arabia and China embrace Pakistan

Hearing of Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at International court of Justice begins

Pakistan has come out of the financial crisis with the help of friendly countries and the economy has been set on the right path, the governor of the cash-strapped country's central bank has claimed.&nbsp;

Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa's remarks coincided with the announcement by Saudi Arabia that it would invest 420 billion in Pakistan under various projects.

Bawja told an audience at a private university in Lahore on Monday that uncertainty in the economy had ended, while the government was on the right path and it was capable of meeting all economic challenges, Dawn reported.

The governor spoke about the current account deficit, which had hit the economy badly during the current financial year.

The current account deficit was the real cause of concern for the new government headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan visited friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia and Turkey to seek investment and managed to get financial help to bridge the external deficit.

Bajwa said a plan had been prepared to eliminate the current account deficit. He said the deficit was the biggest hurdle for the country and the government was still negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for a package to minimise it.

Pakistan has come out of the financial crisis with the help of friendly countries and the economy has been set on the right path, the governor of the cash-strapped country's central bank has claimed.

Pakistan has come out of the financial crisis with the help of friendly countries and the economy has been set on the right path, the governor of the cash-strapped country's central bank has claimed. Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa's remarks coincided with the announcement by Saudi Arabia that it would invest 420 billion in Pakistan under various projects. Bawja told an audience at a private university in Lahore on Monday that uncertainty in the economy had ended, while the government was on the right path and it was capable of meeting all economic challenges, Dawn reported. The governor spoke about the current account deficit, which had hit the economy badly during the current financial year. The current account deficit was the real cause of concern for the new government headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan visited friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia and Turkey to seek investment and managed to get financial help to bridge the external deficit. Bajwa said a plan had been prepared to eliminate the current account deficit. He said the deficit was the biggest hurdle for the country and the government was still negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for a package to minimise it.

Pakistan is out of financial crisis, claims central bank governor 

Pakistan's support of terror and its involvement in the Pulwama attack last week will be a focus of discussion over Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's two-day visit to India starting Tuesday, government sources told WION.&nbsp;

The prince will be coming to Delhi after visiting Pakistan, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974">where he has announced investments of $20 billion</a>.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia had last year given Pakistan a $6 billion bailout.

India is hoping that Saudi Arabia will curtail its funding to Pakistan should it not rein <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sacrifices-of-our-brave-security-personnel-shall-not-go-in-vain-modi-says-after-pulwama-attack-197456">its support for terror groups based on its soil</a>.&nbsp;

During his visit, Salman will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and have bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. This will be the second meet between Modi and the prince in a span of three months. They last met on November 29 in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit.&nbsp;

"One the issues which could come up for discussion are trade and investment, defence, security including counter-terrorism is another. Renewable energy which is something that is coming up as an important area of cooperation,"&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said in his briefing last week.

Prime Minister Modi had visited Riyadh in April 2016. Saudi Arabia's King Salman had honoured him then with the "Sash of King Abdulaziz", the highest civilian decoration awarded by the West Asian country.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest trading partner after China, the US and Japan. India imports 17 per cent of its crude oil requirement from the kingdom. Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia stood at $27.48 billion in 2017-18, a year-on-year increase of 9.56 per cent.&nbsp;

"The objective is to consolidate the strategic partnership which we have with the country," Raveesh Kumar had added.&nbsp;

Crown Prince&nbsp;Salman is Saudi Arabia's second-most important person after the king and his designated successor.

Saudi Arabia of course in one of the world's largest oil producers.

In April 2018, Saudi Aramco, the&nbsp;largest company in the world by revenue, signed an MoU with an Indian consortium of IOC, HPCL and BPCL&nbsp;to acquire a 50 per cent stake in India’s largest refinery project. Saudi Aramco paid $44 billion for its stake in Ratnagiri Refinery &amp; Petrochemicals Limited.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 2.7 million-strong Indian community lives in Saudi Arabia.

The Haj pilgrimage is an important component of the bilateral relations between the two countries. In 2018, Riyadh increased the Indian Haj quota by 5,000, enabling 1,75,025 Indians to undertake the pilgrimage last year.

Pakistan's support of terror and its involvement in the Pulwama attack last week will be a focus of discussion over Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's two-day visit to India starting Tuesday, government sources told WION.

Pakistan's support of terror and its involvement in the Pulwama attack last week will be a focus of discussion over Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's two-day visit to India starting Tuesday, government sources told WION. The prince will be coming to Delhi after visiting Pakistan, where he has announced investments of $20 billion. Saudi Arabia had last year given Pakistan a $6 billion bailout. India is hoping that Saudi Arabia will curtail its funding to Pakistan should it not rein its support for terror groups based on its soil. During his visit, Salman will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and have bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. This will be the second meet between Modi and the prince in a span of three months. They last met on November 29 in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit. "One the issues which could come up for discussion are trade and investment, defence, security including counter-terrorism is another. Renewable energy which is something that is coming up as an important area of cooperation," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said in his briefing last week. Prime Minister Modi had visited Riyadh in April 2016. Saudi Arabia's King Salman had honoured him then with the "Sash of King Abdulaziz", the highest civilian decoration awarded by the West Asian country. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest trading partner after China, the US and Japan. India imports 17 per cent of its crude oil requirement from the kingdom. Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia stood at $27.48 billion in 2017-18, a year-on-year increase of 9.56 per cent. "The objective is to consolidate the strategic partnership which we have with the country," Raveesh Kumar had added. Crown Prince Salman is Saudi Arabia's second-most important person after the king and his designated successor. Saudi Arabia of course in one of the world's largest oil producers. In April 2018, Saudi Aramco, the largest company in the world by revenue, signed an MoU with an Indian consortium of IOC, HPCL and BPCL to acquire a 50 per cent stake in India’s largest refinery project. Saudi Aramco paid $44 billion for its stake in Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited. A 2.7 million-strong Indian community lives in Saudi Arabia. The Haj pilgrimage is an important component of the bilateral relations between the two countries. In 2018, Riyadh increased the Indian Haj quota by 5,000, enabling 1,75,025 Indians to undertake the pilgrimage last year.

As Saudi crown prince visits India, Pak's terror support to be a focus

Pakistan on Sunday said that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/crpf-convoy-attacked-in-jammu-kashmirs-pulwama-death-toll-climbs-to-40-197468">Pulwama terror attack</a>, was banned in 2002 and Islamabad was fulfilling its obligations on sanctions as per the law.

At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-encounter-between-security-forces-and-terrorists-197988">Jammu and Kashmir</a> when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle with explosives into their bus.

Pakistan-based terror group JeM claimed responsibility for the attack on the CRPF convoy.

In a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the attack, India has highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

India has slammed Pakistan for stating that it had no role in the Pulwama attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group JeM, saying Islamabad could not claim that it was unaware of the presence of terror groups on its soil as the links of such outfits to the country were there for everyone to see.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation and its leadership are located in Pakistan."

Pakistani ministers had shared the same podium with UN-proscribed terrorists, Kumar said.

Kumar said India demands that Pakistan should take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control to create a conducive atmosphere in the region, free of terror.

But Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal rejected India's allegation that Pakistan was behind the attack.

"JeM remains a proscribed entity in Pakistan since 2002 and Pakistan is implementing its obligations on sanctions implementation," he said.

Faisal said Pakistan rejected India's allegations because these were made within a short time from the attack and without carrying out any investigations.

"These knee-jerk and pre-conceived accusations were nevertheless consistent with well-rehearsed tactics from Indian playbook after such incidents in the past," he said.

As for Indian assertions about "JeM claims of responsibility" and purported "video of the attacker", he questioned the selective and self-serving standards that India adhered to in this respect.

Faisal said, on the one hand, India accepted the unverified social media content as "gold standard" but was not ready to accept the "confessions" by its national Kulbhushan Jadhav for perpetrating violence in Pakistan.

He said India needed to introspect and respond to questions about its security and intelligence lapses that led to this attack. India owes an explanation on reports of Adil Ahmed Dar's arrest and custody since 2017.

Pakistan desired normalisation of relations with India and in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Imran Khan followed his intention of taking two steps if India takes one, with the proposal for both Foreign Ministers to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Faisal said.

"It was India which cancelled the meeting on baseless pretexts," he said.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Sunday said that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack, was banned in 2002 and Islamabad was fulfilling its obligations on sanctions as per the law.

Pakistan on Sunday said that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack, was banned in 2002 and Islamabad was fulfilling its obligations on sanctions as per the law. At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle with explosives into their bus. Pakistan-based terror group JeM claimed responsibility for the attack on the CRPF convoy. In a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the attack, India has highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. India has slammed Pakistan for stating that it had no role in the Pulwama attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group JeM, saying Islamabad could not claim that it was unaware of the presence of terror groups on its soil as the links of such outfits to the country were there for everyone to see. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation and its leadership are located in Pakistan." Pakistani ministers had shared the same podium with UN-proscribed terrorists, Kumar said. Kumar said India demands that Pakistan should take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control to create a conducive atmosphere in the region, free of terror. But Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal rejected India's allegation that Pakistan was behind the attack. "JeM remains a proscribed entity in Pakistan since 2002 and Pakistan is implementing its obligations on sanctions implementation," he said. Faisal said Pakistan rejected India's allegations because these were made within a short time from the attack and without carrying out any investigations. "These knee-jerk and pre-conceived accusations were nevertheless consistent with well-rehearsed tactics from Indian playbook after such incidents in the past," he said. As for Indian assertions about "JeM claims of responsibility" and purported "video of the attacker", he questioned the selective and self-serving standards that India adhered to in this respect. Faisal said, on the one hand, India accepted the unverified social media content as "gold standard" but was not ready to accept the "confessions" by its national Kulbhushan Jadhav for perpetrating violence in Pakistan. He said India needed to introspect and respond to questions about its security and intelligence lapses that led to this attack. India owes an explanation on reports of Adil Ahmed Dar's arrest and custody since 2017. Pakistan desired normalisation of relations with India and in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Imran Khan followed his intention of taking two steps if India takes one, with the proposal for both Foreign Ministers to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Faisal said. "It was India which cancelled the meeting on baseless pretexts," he said.

Pakistan says it is fulfilling sanctions obligations against JeM

Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour on the Saudi crown prince on Monday, a day after he signed investment deals worth $20 billion on the first stop of an Asian tour clouded by his alleged role in the grisly murder of a dissident journalist.

President Arif Alvi will award Mohammad bin Salman the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), the foreign office said in a statement, before the crown prince leaves the country for his next stop, Islamabad's arch-rival India.&nbsp;

Pakistan is facing a serious balance of payments crisis and hopes the huge deals signed over the two-day visit -- seven separate agreements and memorandums of understanding -- will boost its struggling economy.

The tour coincides with a spike in regional tensions: India and Saudi Arabia's arch-rival Iran -- both bordering Pakistan -- have accused Islamabad of backing militant groups which have carried out bloody suicide attacks on their soil in recent days.

Hours ahead of the crown prince's arrival Sunday, Pakistan dismissed Delhi's accusations as "well-rehearsed tactics from (the) Indian playbook after such incidents in the past".

The crown prince, widely known as "MBS", got a warm welcome in Pakistan, including a 21-gun salute and an honour guard.

He is staging the visit just five months after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a fierce critic, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul ignited a diplomatic crisis.&nbsp;

The Saudis, after initially denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance, finally acknowledged that a team killed him inside the consulate, but described it as a rogue operation that did not involve the crown prince.

Turkey said Friday it has not yet revealed all the information it has uncovered in the case, which launched a global wave of revulsion and tarnished the crown prince's reputation.

Analysts have said the tour is part of a Gulf pivot to rising Asia as a growing oil market, but also a timely demonstration to the West that MBS is not an international pariah.

The crown prince's tour is expected to finish with two days in China on Thursday and Friday.

Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour on the Saudi crown prince on Monday, a day after he signed investment deals worth $20 billion on the first stop of an Asian tour clouded by his alleged role in the grisly murder of a dissident journalist.

Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour on the Saudi crown prince on Monday, a day after he signed investment deals worth $20 billion on the first stop of an Asian tour clouded by his alleged role in the grisly murder of a dissident journalist. President Arif Alvi will award Mohammad bin Salman the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), the foreign office said in a statement, before the crown prince leaves the country for his next stop, Islamabad's arch-rival India. Pakistan is facing a serious balance of payments crisis and hopes the huge deals signed over the two-day visit -- seven separate agreements and memorandums of understanding -- will boost its struggling economy. The tour coincides with a spike in regional tensions: India and Saudi Arabia's arch-rival Iran -- both bordering Pakistan -- have accused Islamabad of backing militant groups which have carried out bloody suicide attacks on their soil in recent days. Hours ahead of the crown prince's arrival Sunday, Pakistan dismissed Delhi's accusations as "well-rehearsed tactics from (the) Indian playbook after such incidents in the past". The crown prince, widely known as "MBS", got a warm welcome in Pakistan, including a 21-gun salute and an honour guard. He is staging the visit just five months after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a fierce critic, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul ignited a diplomatic crisis. The Saudis, after initially denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance, finally acknowledged that a team killed him inside the consulate, but described it as a rogue operation that did not involve the crown prince. Turkey said Friday it has not yet revealed all the information it has uncovered in the case, which launched a global wave of revulsion and tarnished the crown prince's reputation. Analysts have said the tour is part of a Gulf pivot to rising Asia as a growing oil market, but also a timely demonstration to the West that MBS is not an international pariah. The crown prince's tour is expected to finish with two days in China on Thursday and Friday.

After $20 billion deals, Pakistan to award Saudi crown prince with 'highest civilian honour'

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country.

At a ceremony in Prime Minister House, Pakistan and Saudi officials signed MoUs for bilateral cooperation in a number of areas — a process overseen by Pakistan premier Imran Khan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-crown-prince-begins-asia-tour-in-pakistan-amid-india-tensions-197947">Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman</a>, who arrived here late evening on a two-day visit.

"Today we signed MoUs. The amount of that kind of investment is $20 billion. It is big for phase one and definitely it (Saudi investment in Pakistan) will grow every month, every year in bigger numbers and it will be beneficial for both the countries," the crown prince said. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"Pakistan is going to be very, very important country in the future and we want to be sure we are part of that," he added.&nbsp;

Seven agreements, including MoUs in power, petrochemical and mining sectors, were inked as Prince Salman launched his diplomatic trip to Asia in Islamabad.

After Pakistan, the crown prince will travel to India, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He is expected to finish the trip with a visit to China on Thursday and Friday.

Prince Salman said Saudi "cannot say no to Pakistan, whatever you (Pakistan) want we will do."&nbsp;

"For Pakistanis, this is a great day," the Pakistani premier said while addressing a dinner reception held in honour of the visiting Saudi guests at the PM House.

He said Saudi Arabia has always been there when Pakistan needed friends.&nbsp;

"I want to thank you for the way you helped us when we were in (a) bad situation," Khan told the royal guest, adding that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were now taking their relationship to a new level, where investment agreements would be mutually beneficial for the countries.

"The future is exciting for both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia after joining hands," he said.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country. At a ceremony in Prime Minister House, Pakistan and Saudi officials signed MoUs for bilateral cooperation in a number of areas — a process overseen by Pakistan premier Imran Khan Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who arrived here late evening on a two-day visit. "Today we signed MoUs. The amount of that kind of investment is $20 billion. It is big for phase one and definitely it (Saudi investment in Pakistan) will grow every month, every year in bigger numbers and it will be beneficial for both the countries," the crown prince said. "Pakistan is going to be very, very important country in the future and we want to be sure we are part of that," he added. Seven agreements, including MoUs in power, petrochemical and mining sectors, were inked as Prince Salman launched his diplomatic trip to Asia in Islamabad. After Pakistan, the crown prince will travel to India, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He is expected to finish the trip with a visit to China on Thursday and Friday. Prince Salman said Saudi "cannot say no to Pakistan, whatever you (Pakistan) want we will do." "For Pakistanis, this is a great day," the Pakistani premier said while addressing a dinner reception held in honour of the visiting Saudi guests at the PM House. He said Saudi Arabia has always been there when Pakistan needed friends. "I want to thank you for the way you helped us when we were in (a) bad situation," Khan told the royal guest, adding that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were now taking their relationship to a new level, where investment agreements would be mutually beneficial for the countries. "The future is exciting for both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia after joining hands," he said.

In relief for its economy, Saudi Arabia invests $20 billion in Pakistan

Pakistan's shooters were Monday granted visas to participate in the New Delhi World Cup, a top Indian shooting official told PTI, ending speculation about their presence in the event in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack.&nbsp;

The ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) event, which will offer 16 quota places for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, starts at the Dr Karni Singh Range on Thursday.&nbsp;

"Their visa has been cleared and we have received communication from the Indian High Commission and the Pakistan shooting federation. The two shooters and the manager's tickets are also being booked," National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary Rajiv Bhatia told PTI.&nbsp;

Earlier, the terrorist attack had cast a doubt over Pakistan shooters' participation in the World Cup, with the country's federation saying in Karachi that it would not send its marksmen if the visas don't come through by this evening.&nbsp;

At least 40 CRPF paramilitary troopers were killed while several others injured in what is being termed as the deadliest terrorist strike in three decades in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

The Indian government had given clearance for the applications, but that was before last Thursday's dastardly attack.&nbsp;

Pakistan applied for visas for two shooters in the rapid fire category -- GM Bashir and Khalil Ahmed -- for the World Cup.&nbsp;

Pakistan's National Rifle Shooting Federation President Razi Ahmed had earlier said that the secretary of NRAI had assured him that visas would be granted since the Indian home ministry has given its clearance.&nbsp;

He added that air tickets had been booked and NOCs (No Objection Certificates) obtained for taking the ammunition to New Delhi for use in the championship.

Pakistan's shooters were Monday granted visas to participate in the New Delhi World Cup, a top Indian shooting official told PTI, ending speculation about their presence in the event in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack.

Pakistan's shooters were Monday granted visas to participate in the New Delhi World Cup, a top Indian shooting official told PTI, ending speculation about their presence in the event in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack. The ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) event, which will offer 16 quota places for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, starts at the Dr Karni Singh Range on Thursday. "Their visa has been cleared and we have received communication from the Indian High Commission and the Pakistan shooting federation. The two shooters and the manager's tickets are also being booked," National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary Rajiv Bhatia told PTI. Earlier, the terrorist attack had cast a doubt over Pakistan shooters' participation in the World Cup, with the country's federation saying in Karachi that it would not send its marksmen if the visas don't come through by this evening. At least 40 CRPF paramilitary troopers were killed while several others injured in what is being termed as the deadliest terrorist strike in three decades in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government had given clearance for the applications, but that was before last Thursday's dastardly attack. Pakistan applied for visas for two shooters in the rapid fire category -- GM Bashir and Khalil Ahmed -- for the World Cup. Pakistan's National Rifle Shooting Federation President Razi Ahmed had earlier said that the secretary of NRAI had assured him that visas would be granted since the Indian home ministry has given its clearance. He added that air tickets had been booked and NOCs (No Objection Certificates) obtained for taking the ammunition to New Delhi for use in the championship.

Pakistan shooters granted visas for New Delhi World Cup

Pregnant, desperate, and poor, Pakistani mother Zameena faced a stark choice: risk her life by having a secret abortion, or risk her life bearing her husband a sixth child.&nbsp;

In the end, she opted for the former, one of more than two million women a year to do so in a country where religious leaders are critical of family planning measures and there is a lack of sex education and access to contraception.

Almost half of all pregnancies in Pakistan -- around 4.2 million each year -- are unplanned and around 54 per cent of those end in termination, according to a report by US research firm Guttmacher Institute.

"Three years ago, when my daughter was born, the doctor told me that I should stop having babies because it would be bad for my health," said Zameena, using an assumed name, from her home in the northwest city of Peshawar.

"But whenever I say that to my husband, he tells me to trust God," the 35-year-old added. "My husband is a religious man... he wants to have a line of sons."

Decades ago, a family planning campaign with the slogan "do bache hi ache" or "two children is good" was rejected by religious leaders as well as nationalists who wanted a bigger population to rival the 1.2 billion people in neighbouring India.

Today with a population of around 207 million, Pakistan's baby boom is stretching resources beyond capacity and experts warn of trouble ahead.

Zameena said she frequently suggested to her husband that they practice family planning, but he refused.

"My mother-in-law had nine kids," said Zameena. "When I complain to my husband that I can't have more babies, he answers: 'If my mother didn't die, you should also stay alive'."

Abortion is allowed in Pakistan if the health of the mother is in danger. But many doctors invoke their Muslim faith and refuse to carry them out.&nbsp;

As a result, some women abort illegally and authorities largely turn a blind eye to the situation.

The preferred method is by ingesting Misoprostol, an over-the-counter drug used to treat ulcers, which causes the expulsion of the embryo. It can also cause serious complications for the mother.&nbsp;

NGO Aware Girls counsels those who call its hotline on how such drugs should be used safely and when to seek emergency or professional treatment at a clinic.

"Most of us know women who have died of an abortion," said Aware Girls co-founder Gulalai Ismail.

'Willing to do anything'&nbsp;

Zameena was one of the lucky ones -- she knew where to go for help once she decided to terminate her latest pregnancy.&nbsp;

At the other end of the Aware Girls hotline, counsellor Ayeesha reassured and advised her on what medicines to take and in which dosage.

They insist that women must never be alone when they attempt such procedures.

"My work saves women's lives. When they call, they are willing to do anything to have an abortion," explained the 26-year-old.

Ayeesha estimated that she fields around 350 calls a month. Most women who contact the NGO know very little about contraception. Access to condoms, the most well-known option, is limited and even when they can be bought, it requires the man to agree.

According to official statistics, only around 35 per cent of Pakistani women use any form of non-abortive birth control despite them being inexpensive.

Birth control pills cost just 20 rupees (0.12 euro), for example, while an IUD is available for 400 rupees (2.5 euros).

But population control is a controversial issue in Pakistan, where large families are prized.

"Authorities have not been able to make this issue an emergency for Pakistan. It is all rhetoric and political gibberish," says Dr Haroon Ibrahim of the family planning NGO Greenstar,

Zeba Sathar, a demographer in charge of another NGO, the Population Council, branded the nation's negative attitude to contraception a "systemic failure".

'Women are dying'&nbsp;

Prime Minister Imran Khan in December acknowledged the lack of political will on the issue and promised pro-contraception campaigns using the media, cell phones, schools and mosques.

"The mullahs have a key role to play," he insisted.

But the Council of Pakistani Islamic Ideology, a religious body which advises the government, says otherwise, insisting that family planning is against Islam.

"The birth control campaign at the government level should be immediately stopped and the birth control program should be removed from the economic planning," the council told AFP.

The charity Marie Stopes, whose clinics provide post-abortion care, has profiled a typical client in Pakistan: aged in her thirties, married at 18, she is poor, uneducated and already has three children.

Such women approach the agency when backstreet abortions go wrong.

"Women are just dying... for the lack of knowledge," said Xaher Gul, an executive at Marie Stopes.

In 2012, the year of their last study, the Guttmacher Institute estimated there were 2.25 million abortions in Pakistan with 623,000 women treated for post-abortion complications.

"We have failed women in this country," warned Hassan Mohtashami, former head of the United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan.

He added: "Abortion is not a family planning method."

Pregnant, desperate, and poor, Pakistani mother Zameena faced a stark choice: risk her life by having a secret abortion, or risk her life bearing her husband a sixth child.

Pregnant, desperate, and poor, Pakistani mother Zameena faced a stark choice: risk her life by having a secret abortion, or risk her life bearing her husband a sixth child. In the end, she opted for the former, one of more than two million women a year to do so in a country where religious leaders are critical of family planning measures and there is a lack of sex education and access to contraception. Almost half of all pregnancies in Pakistan -- around 4.2 million each year -- are unplanned and around 54 per cent of those end in termination, according to a report by US research firm Guttmacher Institute. "Three years ago, when my daughter was born, the doctor told me that I should stop having babies because it would be bad for my health," said Zameena, using an assumed name, from her home in the northwest city of Peshawar. "But whenever I say that to my husband, he tells me to trust God," the 35-year-old added. "My husband is a religious man... he wants to have a line of sons." Decades ago, a family planning campaign with the slogan "do bache hi ache" or "two children is good" was rejected by religious leaders as well as nationalists who wanted a bigger population to rival the 1.2 billion people in neighbouring India. Today with a population of around 207 million, Pakistan's baby boom is stretching resources beyond capacity and experts warn of trouble ahead. Zameena said she frequently suggested to her husband that they practice family planning, but he refused. "My mother-in-law had nine kids," said Zameena. "When I complain to my husband that I can't have more babies, he answers: 'If my mother didn't die, you should also stay alive'." Abortion is allowed in Pakistan if the health of the mother is in danger. But many doctors invoke their Muslim faith and refuse to carry them out. As a result, some women abort illegally and authorities largely turn a blind eye to the situation. The preferred method is by ingesting Misoprostol, an over-the-counter drug used to treat ulcers, which causes the expulsion of the embryo. It can also cause serious complications for the mother. NGO Aware Girls counsels those who call its hotline on how such drugs should be used safely and when to seek emergency or professional treatment at a clinic. "Most of us know women who have died of an abortion," said Aware Girls co-founder Gulalai Ismail. 'Willing to do anything' Zameena was one of the lucky ones -- she knew where to go for help once she decided to terminate her latest pregnancy. At the other end of the Aware Girls hotline, counsellor Ayeesha reassured and advised her on what medicines to take and in which dosage. They insist that women must never be alone when they attempt such procedures. "My work saves women's lives. When they call, they are willing to do anything to have an abortion," explained the 26-year-old. Ayeesha estimated that she fields around 350 calls a month. Most women who contact the NGO know very little about contraception. Access to condoms, the most well-known option, is limited and even when they can be bought, it requires the man to agree. According to official statistics, only around 35 per cent of Pakistani women use any form of non-abortive birth control despite them being inexpensive. Birth control pills cost just 20 rupees (0.12 euro), for example, while an IUD is available for 400 rupees (2.5 euros). But population control is a controversial issue in Pakistan, where large families are prized. "Authorities have not been able to make this issue an emergency for Pakistan. It is all rhetoric and political gibberish," says Dr Haroon Ibrahim of the family planning NGO Greenstar, Zeba Sathar, a demographer in charge of another NGO, the Population Council, branded the nation's negative attitude to contraception a "systemic failure". 'Women are dying' Prime Minister Imran Khan in December acknowledged the lack of political will on the issue and promised pro-contraception campaigns using the media, cell phones, schools and mosques. "The mullahs have a key role to play," he insisted. But the Council of Pakistani Islamic Ideology, a religious body which advises the government, says otherwise, insisting that family planning is against Islam. "The birth control campaign at the government level should be immediately stopped and the birth control program should be removed from the economic planning," the council told AFP. The charity Marie Stopes, whose clinics provide post-abortion care, has profiled a typical client in Pakistan: aged in her thirties, married at 18, she is poor, uneducated and already has three children. Such women approach the agency when backstreet abortions go wrong. "Women are just dying... for the lack of knowledge," said Xaher Gul, an executive at Marie Stopes. In 2012, the year of their last study, the Guttmacher Institute estimated there were 2.25 million abortions in Pakistan with 623,000 women treated for post-abortion complications. "We have failed women in this country," warned Hassan Mohtashami, former head of the United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan. He added: "Abortion is not a family planning method."

Desperate measures: Pakistani women seek abortions as birth control

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974">In </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974">relief</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974"> for its economy, Saudi Arabia to invest $20 billion in Pakistan</a>

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-encounter-between-security-forces-and-terrorists-197988">J&amp;K:&nbsp;Encounter breaks out in Pulwama, 4 jawans injured</a>

A gun battle has broken out between security forces and terrorists in the Pinglan area of Pulwama. The news agency ANI reported that two to three terrorists are trapped in the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-aide-predicts-hundreds-of-miles-of-border-wall-by-2020-197976">Trump aide Stephen Miller predicts 'hundreds of miles' of border wall by 2020</a>

A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the&nbsp;president's emergency declaration&nbsp;could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the&nbsp;Mexican border&nbsp;before the 2020 election.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/west-indies-chris-gayle-announces-retirement-from-odi-cricket-197975">West Indies' Chris Gayle to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup</a>

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after this summer’s ICC World Cup, scheduled to begin from May 30.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/california-tells-trump-that-lawsuit-over-border-wall-is-imminent-197985">California tells Trump lawsuit over border wall is 'imminent'</a>

California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for&nbsp;a US-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday.

In relief for its economy, Saudi Arabia to invest $20 billion in Pakistan Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country.

In relief for its economy, Saudi Arabia to invest $20 billion in Pakistan Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country. J&K: Encounter breaks out in Pulwama, 4 jawans injured A gun battle has broken out between security forces and terrorists in the Pinglan area of Pulwama. The news agency ANI reported that two to three terrorists are trapped in the area. Trump aide Stephen Miller predicts 'hundreds of miles' of border wall by 2020 A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the president's emergency declaration could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the Mexican border before the 2020 election. West Indies' Chris Gayle to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup West Indies batsman Chris Gayle announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after this summer’s ICC World Cup, scheduled to begin from May 30. California tells Trump lawsuit over border wall is 'imminent' California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for a US-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday.

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