South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was on Sunday suspended for one Test because of his team's slow over rate as they <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/south-africa-beat-pakistan-by-nine-wickets-to-clinch-series-188534">beat Pakistan in Cape Town</a>.

The ICC announced the punishment in a statement after South Africa won the second Test by nine wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Du Plessis and his players were also fined a percentage of their match fees.

South Africa picked an all-pace attack for the match. Their four bowlers shared just under 122 overs as they twice bowled Pakistan out. Half an hour was added to play the first three days because of the slow over rate.

After the three umpires charged the home team, match referee David Boon, the former Australia batsman, ruled South Africa were one over short of the minimum target and imposed the punishments.&nbsp;

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South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been suspended for one Test for a second minor over-rate offence within 12 months. 
 
READ 👇<a href="https://t.co/4zfyF2onJT">https://t.co/4zfyF2onJT</a> <a href="https://t.co/KbTUjgUWg0">pic.twitter.com/KbTUjgUWg0</a>
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Under ICC rules, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double.

Du Plessis had previously been found guilty of what the ICC deemed a "minor over-rate offence" against India at Centurion on January 17 last year and so, the statement said, "this offence constituted his second minor over-rate offence within a 12-month period."

Du Plessis scored a crucial 106 in South Africa's first innings at Newlands, but he will also have to be replaced as captain in the third test which starts in Johannesburg on Friday, 11 January.

Both Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla have captaincy experience but they each ended the Test nursing injuries. Markram was unable to bat on Sunday while Amla had to retire hurt after being hit by a rising delivery.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was on Sunday suspended for one Test because of his team's slow over rate as they beat Pakistan in Cape Town. The ICC announced the punishment in a statement after South Africa won the second Test by nine wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was on Sunday suspended for one Test because of his team's slow over rate as they beat Pakistan in Cape Town. The ICC announced the punishment in a statement after South Africa won the second Test by nine wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Du Plessis and his players were also fined a percentage of their match fees. South Africa picked an all-pace attack for the match. Their four bowlers shared just under 122 overs as they twice bowled Pakistan out. Half an hour was added to play the first three days because of the slow over rate. After the three umpires charged the home team, match referee David Boon, the former Australia batsman, ruled South Africa were one over short of the minimum target and imposed the punishments. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been suspended for one Test for a second minor over-rate offence within 12 months. READ 👇https://t.co/4zfyF2onJT pic.twitter.com/KbTUjgUWg0 — ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2019 × Under ICC rules, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double. Du Plessis had previously been found guilty of what the ICC deemed a "minor over-rate offence" against India at Centurion on January 17 last year and so, the statement said, "this offence constituted his second minor over-rate offence within a 12-month period." Du Plessis scored a crucial 106 in South Africa's first innings at Newlands, but he will also have to be replaced as captain in the third test which starts in Johannesburg on Friday, 11 January. Both Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla have captaincy experience but they each ended the Test nursing injuries. Markram was unable to bat on Sunday while Amla had to retire hurt after being hit by a rising delivery.

South Africa skipper Du Plessis suspended for third Test

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan received Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Islamabad airport on Sunday and then drove him himself to the PM House.&nbsp;

A formation of air force jets marked Zayed's arrival with a flyby. Zayed was also given a guard of honour at PM House and a 21-gun salute.&nbsp;

The UAE recently announced aid to Pakistan which is currently suffering from a massive <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-balance-of-payments-worsens-likely-to-approach-imf-next-month-126485">balance of payments crisis</a>, which explains the red carpet welcome.&nbsp;

The video of Zayed being driven by Khan was put out on his official Instagram account.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsSQhFsHEZs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Prime Minister Imran Khan drives His Highness Sheikh Muhamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces to Islamabad from Nur Khan Airbase. 🇵🇰🇦🇪 #PMIK</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imrankhan.pti/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Imran Khan</a> (@imrankhan.pti) on <time datetime="2019-01-06T07:49:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 5, 2019 at 11:49pm PST</time>
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Khan received praises on the internet for personally welcoming the Crown Prince and reviving the ties with UAE.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> takes the wheel <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedBinZayed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MohamedBinZayed</a> 
 
Sheikh Muhamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi arrives at Noor Khan Airbase Islamabad, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UAE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UAE</a> <a href="https://t.co/cDCNPIclYZ">pic.twitter.com/cDCNPIclYZ</a>
— Rana Shahroz (@LOVER_OF_PTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/LOVER_OF_PTI/status/1081820044873646081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan at the Invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> received the Crown Prince and is him self Driving him to PM House.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMIK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMIK</a> <a href="https://t.co/yS2Xx6ckjs">pic.twitter.com/yS2Xx6ckjs</a>
— Ali Hashmi (Audiology) (@alihashmi903) <a href="https://twitter.com/alihashmi903/status/1081817696554151936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Prime Minister - Imran Khan gears up for revitalizing the Pakistan-UAE ties, taking up the driving seat as he receives Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZayedAlNahyan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZayedAlNahyan</a> who arrives in Pakistan after 12 YEARS. It's going to be quite an interesting day! 😎 <a href="https://t.co/wwWBSvkKKp">pic.twitter.com/wwWBSvkKKp</a>
— Maleeha Hashmey (@MaleehaHashmey) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaleehaHashmey/status/1081828374647992320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Imran Khan receiving the the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and driving the car himself. This man is giving it his all for the success of this country and its people. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrimeMinisterImrankhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrimeMinisterImrankhan</a> <a href="https://t.co/kyjMsENenE">pic.twitter.com/kyjMsENenE</a>
— Talha Siddiqui (@_TalhaSiddiqui) <a href="https://twitter.com/_TalhaSiddiqui/status/1081847231517474823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Banners on the road depicted the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uae-crown-prince-arrives-in-pakistan-likely-to-announce-62-billion-aid-188514">crown prince</a> and read "Zayed in Our Hearts" and "Pakistan-UAE partner in development".

The United Arab Emirates is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the Middle East and a major investment source, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement ahead of the visit.

More than 1.5 million Pakistanis live in the Gulf state and send millions of dollars in remittances back home, it added.

The crown prince last visited Pakistan in January 2007.

The UAE announced in December it would deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a widening balance of payments crisis.

The Pakistani rupee plunged almost five per cent to a record low at the end of November, after what appeared to be the sixth devaluation by the central bank in the past year.&nbsp;

It also secured $6 billion in funding from Saudi Arabia and struck a 12-month deal for a cash lifeline during Khan's visit to the kingdom in October.

Islamabad has also received billions of dollars in Chinese loans to finance ambitious infrastructure projects.

A team from the International Monetary Fund visited Pakistan in November to discuss a possible bailout with officials but talks ended without agreement.

(With inputs from AFP)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan received Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Islamabad airport on Sunday and then drove him himself to the PM House.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan received Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Islamabad airport on Sunday and then drove him himself to the PM House. A formation of air force jets marked Zayed's arrival with a flyby. Zayed was also given a guard of honour at PM House and a 21-gun salute. The UAE recently announced aid to Pakistan which is currently suffering from a massive balance of payments crisis, which explains the red carpet welcome. The video of Zayed being driven by Khan was put out on his official Instagram account. View this post on Instagram Prime Minister Imran Khan drives His Highness Sheikh Muhamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces to Islamabad from Nur Khan Airbase. 🇵🇰🇦🇪 #PMIK A post shared by Imran Khan (@imrankhan.pti) on Jan 5, 2019 at 11:49pm PST × Khan received praises on the internet for personally welcoming the Crown Prince and reviving the ties with UAE. Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI takes the wheel @MohamedBinZayed Sheikh Muhamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi arrives at Noor Khan Airbase Islamabad, #Pakistan #UAE pic.twitter.com/cDCNPIclYZ — Rana Shahroz (@LOVER_OF_PTI) January 6, 2019 × Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan at the Invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. PM @ImranKhanPTI received the Crown Prince and is him self Driving him to PM House.#PMIK pic.twitter.com/yS2Xx6ckjs — Ali Hashmi (Audiology) (@alihashmi903) January 6, 2019 × Prime Minister - Imran Khan gears up for revitalizing the Pakistan-UAE ties, taking up the driving seat as he receives Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi - #ZayedAlNahyan who arrives in Pakistan after 12 YEARS. It's going to be quite an interesting day! 😎 pic.twitter.com/wwWBSvkKKp — Maleeha Hashmey (@MaleehaHashmey) January 6, 2019 × Prime Minister Imran Khan receiving the the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and driving the car himself. This man is giving it his all for the success of this country and its people. #PrimeMinisterImrankhan pic.twitter.com/kyjMsENenE — Talha Siddiqui (@_TalhaSiddiqui) January 6, 2019 × Banners on the road depicted the crown prince and read "Zayed in Our Hearts" and "Pakistan-UAE partner in development". The United Arab Emirates is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the Middle East and a major investment source, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement ahead of the visit. More than 1.5 million Pakistanis live in the Gulf state and send millions of dollars in remittances back home, it added. The crown prince last visited Pakistan in January 2007. The UAE announced in December it would deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a widening balance of payments crisis. The Pakistani rupee plunged almost five per cent to a record low at the end of November, after what appeared to be the sixth devaluation by the central bank in the past year. It also secured $6 billion in funding from Saudi Arabia and struck a 12-month deal for a cash lifeline during Khan's visit to the kingdom in October. Islamabad has also received billions of dollars in Chinese loans to finance ambitious infrastructure projects. A team from the International Monetary Fund visited Pakistan in November to discuss a possible bailout with officials but talks ended without agreement. (With inputs from AFP)

Imran Khan picks up Abu Dhabi crown prince at airport, drives car himself to PM House

South Africa beat Pakistan by nine wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pakistan claimed a wicket and forced Hashim Amla to retire hurt before South Africa passed their meagre target after less than an hour's play at Newlands.

Set 41 to win, South Africa reached 43 for the loss of one wicket from 9.5 overs.

The result ensured a seventh successive home series win for South Africa, who won the first Test in Centurion by six wickets. The third and final Test starts in Johannesburg on Friday.

Regular South African opening batsman Aiden Markram did not bat after suffering a severely bruised right thigh when he fell heavily on the boundary rope while fielding on Saturday.

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South Africa chase down the easy target of 41 runs in just 9.5 overs as they beat Pakistan by nine wickets and seal the three-Test series 2-0. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> SCORECARD ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/sT3TAzOBtB">https://t.co/sT3TAzOBtB</a> <a href="https://t.co/fVbuwAQ3sI">pic.twitter.com/fVbuwAQ3sI</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1081843861268221952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Theunis de Bruyn, opening in place of Markram, clipped Mohammad Abbas to the midwicket boundary but did not add to his score before being caught off his glove by wicketkeeper and captain Sarfraz Ahmed while attempting to pull a bouncer from Abbas.

Mohammad Amir effectively conceded 10 runs in extras off two successive deliveries, with a wide and a no-ball which both flew over Sarfraz's head.

Hashim Amla was forced to retire hurt on two after being hit on the right upper arm by a ball from Amir which lifted sharply off a good length.

Dean Elgar, who made 24 not out, ended the match by hitting two fours off part-time bowler Azhar Ali.

South Africa beat Pakistan by nine wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday. Pakistan claimed a wicket and forced Hashim Amla to retire hurt before South Africa passed their meagre target after less than an hour's play at Newlands.

South Africa beat Pakistan by nine wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday. Pakistan claimed a wicket and forced Hashim Amla to retire hurt before South Africa passed their meagre target after less than an hour's play at Newlands. Set 41 to win, South Africa reached 43 for the loss of one wicket from 9.5 overs. The result ensured a seventh successive home series win for South Africa, who won the first Test in Centurion by six wickets. The third and final Test starts in Johannesburg on Friday. Regular South African opening batsman Aiden Markram did not bat after suffering a severely bruised right thigh when he fell heavily on the boundary rope while fielding on Saturday. South Africa chase down the easy target of 41 runs in just 9.5 overs as they beat Pakistan by nine wickets and seal the three-Test series 2-0. #SAvPAK SCORECARD ⬇️https://t.co/sT3TAzOBtB pic.twitter.com/fVbuwAQ3sI — ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2019 × Theunis de Bruyn, opening in place of Markram, clipped Mohammad Abbas to the midwicket boundary but did not add to his score before being caught off his glove by wicketkeeper and captain Sarfraz Ahmed while attempting to pull a bouncer from Abbas. Mohammad Amir effectively conceded 10 runs in extras off two successive deliveries, with a wide and a no-ball which both flew over Sarfraz's head. Hashim Amla was forced to retire hurt on two after being hit on the right upper arm by a ball from Amir which lifted sharply off a good length. Dean Elgar, who made 24 not out, ended the match by hitting two fours off part-time bowler Azhar Ali.

South Africa beat Pakistan by nine wickets to clinch series

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finalised a bail-out package worth around US $6.2 billion to assist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/while-pakistan-seeks-imf-bailout-its-debt-and-liabilities-soar-to-rs-31-trillion-report-182294">Pakistan`s struggling economy</a>.

The package will enable Pakistan to deal with its balance-of-payments crisis.

Dawn newspaper has reported that the bail-out package will be announced by the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE, who will be embarking on his two-day visit to Pakistan on January 6.

The package involves US $3.2 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payment, in addition to a cash deposit worth US dollar three billion.

Quoting a source, Dawn stated that the bailout package, finalised on January 3, was almost of the same size of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-receives-second-us-1-billion-bailout-package-from-saudi-arabia-184108">bail-out given by Saudi Arabia</a> to Pakistan last year in October.

The source said that the bail-out package would further help Pakistan to save around US $7.9 billion on oil and gas imports, accounting to more than 60 per cent of annual oil import bill of about US $12 to 13 billion, from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan is also negotiating with the Government of Qatar in order to seek some reductions in the prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG).&nbsp;

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finalised a bail-out package worth around US $6.2 billion to assist Pakistan`s struggling economy. The package will enable Pakistan to deal with its balance-of-payments crisis.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finalised a bail-out package worth around US $6.2 billion to assist Pakistan`s struggling economy. The package will enable Pakistan to deal with its balance-of-payments crisis. Dawn newspaper has reported that the bail-out package will be announced by the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE, who will be embarking on his two-day visit to Pakistan on January 6. The package involves US $3.2 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payment, in addition to a cash deposit worth US dollar three billion. Quoting a source, Dawn stated that the bailout package, finalised on January 3, was almost of the same size of the bail-out given by Saudi Arabia to Pakistan last year in October. The source said that the bail-out package would further help Pakistan to save around US $7.9 billion on oil and gas imports, accounting to more than 60 per cent of annual oil import bill of about US $12 to 13 billion, from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is also negotiating with the Government of Qatar in order to seek some reductions in the prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

UAE finalises US $6.2 billion bail-out package for Pakistan

Chabahar is back in the news after a hiatus of about two years. The contexts of its importance are several but the first one in the current milieu is the fact that despite President Donald Trump’s avowed sanctions on everything related to Iran, India’s Chabahar-based relationship with Tehran has received a waiver. That puts on course the fructification of efforts which commenced many summers ago but got an impetus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran in May 2016, leading to the signing of the trilateral tripartite agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan.

The US provided an “exception” from certain sanctions, to the Iranian port of Chabahar that India has developed and used for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. This exemption is in addition to temporary freedom from sanctions that the US announced for India and seven major importers of Iranian crude oil.

Why is Chabahar strategically important, for India, the US, Iran and Afghanistan? That will answer many questions. It starts with the fact that its geostrategic location, outside the Persian Gulf and yet on the Iranian coastline, puts it slightly out of harm’s way in the event of the Straits of Hormuz being forcibly closed; although, it is well appreciated that such a closure will no doubt presuppose an adverse effect on all of Iran’s port facilities.

To access Central Asia, often referred to as the heart of Asia, and Afghanistan, there are only two routes from the Indian Ocean. The first is from Pakistan’s Gwadar or Karachi ports and the second is from Chabahar which lies on the southeastern coast of Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province. Why the US agreed to waive sanctions for activities connected with the development of the port is simply because India is the nation providing alternatives for establishing communication arteries to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

For 17 years, the US has fought in Afghanistan and depended on a single artery for its logistics; through Karachi and Pakistan-Baluchistan into Afghan territory. Due to its animosity with Iran, the clearly viable alternative via Chabahar through Iranian territory, to West Afghanistan could not be exploited. The lack of development of Chabahar placed Afghanistan in a predicament because of its reliance on Karachi with all strings in the hands of none-too-friendly Pakistan.

India’s stakes in Afghanistan being high, the realization perhaps came late that Chabahar had serious transformational strategic potential to bypass Pakistan. Once India demonstrated its deep interest and the tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan was signed in mid-2016, the movement of a consignment of wheat from Kandla port in Gujarat to Kabul via Chabahar went through smoothly; that experiment spurred further movement on Chabahar.

With portents of conflict termination in Afghanistan, the US too realised the important role India could play at this stage, such that all eggs were not in Pakistan’s basket. Otherwise all Pakistan needed to do in order to bring down the Afghan National Unity Government (NUG) was to establish a blockade from Karachi and the landlocked state of Afghanistan would have few options.

The tripartite agreement resolved that problem and increased India’s significance in Afghanistan. With India’s access via Chabahar, the viability of maintaining Afghanistan as a state under current dispensation, with minimal US presence, exponentially increases and there is considerable risk reduction. The joint Indian and US strategic interests in Afghanistan aim at the dilution of Pakistani influence and capability.

For the US the option of India in control is far more positive than leaving this to the stranglehold of China, Russia and Pakistan with the latter continuing to improve relations with Iran. For the Afghan NUG, this is as blissful a situation as it can expect with reduction of dependence on Pakistan and an avenue open to trade and assistance from India.

The Indian firm India Ports Global Limited has formally taken over operations at the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar. The routes for trade and transit corridors between the three countries have been finalised but this will remain work in progress as subsequent infrastructure caters for railway connectivity and eventual linkage to the INSTC.

While India has successfully completed a major geostrategic venture on one flank of the Persian Gulf, it needs to be mindful of the fact that its interests are divided on both sides of the Gulf. That is where the last few years of straddling diplomacy, which the Ministry of External Affairs has done with a fair degree of aplomb, will hopefully pay a dividend. India remains one of those unique countries which the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Iran visited within two weeks of each other.

India has long and extremely important relationships with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait which are as strategic as any of its relationships. The world of multilateralism is a sphere in which India is getting increasingly competent. That is why it needs to believe that Chabahar is the opening to the long-awaited strategic and civilisational relationship with Iran which need not be at the cost of the same which must be pursued with the Arab Gulf countries with equal vigour. 2018 was a good year for this, 2019 promises to be better.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-iran-a-port-of-call-for-india-2704295">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Chabahar is back in the news after a hiatus of about two years. The contexts of its importance are several but the first one in the current milieu is the fact that despite President Donald Trump’s avowed sanctions on everything related to Iran, India’s Chabahar-based relationship with Tehran has received a waiver.

Chabahar is back in the news after a hiatus of about two years. The contexts of its importance are several but the first one in the current milieu is the fact that despite President Donald Trump’s avowed sanctions on everything related to Iran, India’s Chabahar-based relationship with Tehran has received a waiver. That puts on course the fructification of efforts which commenced many summers ago but got an impetus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran in May 2016, leading to the signing of the trilateral tripartite agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan. The US provided an “exception” from certain sanctions, to the Iranian port of Chabahar that India has developed and used for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. This exemption is in addition to temporary freedom from sanctions that the US announced for India and seven major importers of Iranian crude oil. Why is Chabahar strategically important, for India, the US, Iran and Afghanistan? That will answer many questions. It starts with the fact that its geostrategic location, outside the Persian Gulf and yet on the Iranian coastline, puts it slightly out of harm’s way in the event of the Straits of Hormuz being forcibly closed; although, it is well appreciated that such a closure will no doubt presuppose an adverse effect on all of Iran’s port facilities. To access Central Asia, often referred to as the heart of Asia, and Afghanistan, there are only two routes from the Indian Ocean. The first is from Pakistan’s Gwadar or Karachi ports and the second is from Chabahar which lies on the southeastern coast of Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province. Why the US agreed to waive sanctions for activities connected with the development of the port is simply because India is the nation providing alternatives for establishing communication arteries to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. For 17 years, the US has fought in Afghanistan and depended on a single artery for its logistics; through Karachi and Pakistan-Baluchistan into Afghan territory. Due to its animosity with Iran, the clearly viable alternative via Chabahar through Iranian territory, to West Afghanistan could not be exploited. The lack of development of Chabahar placed Afghanistan in a predicament because of its reliance on Karachi with all strings in the hands of none-too-friendly Pakistan. India’s stakes in Afghanistan being high, the realization perhaps came late that Chabahar had serious transformational strategic potential to bypass Pakistan. Once India demonstrated its deep interest and the tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan was signed in mid-2016, the movement of a consignment of wheat from Kandla port in Gujarat to Kabul via Chabahar went through smoothly; that experiment spurred further movement on Chabahar. With portents of conflict termination in Afghanistan, the US too realised the important role India could play at this stage, such that all eggs were not in Pakistan’s basket. Otherwise all Pakistan needed to do in order to bring down the Afghan National Unity Government (NUG) was to establish a blockade from Karachi and the landlocked state of Afghanistan would have few options. The tripartite agreement resolved that problem and increased India’s significance in Afghanistan. With India’s access via Chabahar, the viability of maintaining Afghanistan as a state under current dispensation, with minimal US presence, exponentially increases and there is considerable risk reduction. The joint Indian and US strategic interests in Afghanistan aim at the dilution of Pakistani influence and capability. For the US the option of India in control is far more positive than leaving this to the stranglehold of China, Russia and Pakistan with the latter continuing to improve relations with Iran. For the Afghan NUG, this is as blissful a situation as it can expect with reduction of dependence on Pakistan and an avenue open to trade and assistance from India. The Indian firm India Ports Global Limited has formally taken over operations at the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar. The routes for trade and transit corridors between the three countries have been finalised but this will remain work in progress as subsequent infrastructure caters for railway connectivity and eventual linkage to the INSTC. While India has successfully completed a major geostrategic venture on one flank of the Persian Gulf, it needs to be mindful of the fact that its interests are divided on both sides of the Gulf. That is where the last few years of straddling diplomacy, which the Ministry of External Affairs has done with a fair degree of aplomb, will hopefully pay a dividend. India remains one of those unique countries which the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Iran visited within two weeks of each other. India has long and extremely important relationships with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait which are as strategic as any of its relationships. The world of multilateralism is a sphere in which India is getting increasingly competent. That is why it needs to believe that Chabahar is the opening to the long-awaited strategic and civilisational relationship with Iran which need not be at the cost of the same which must be pursued with the Arab Gulf countries with equal vigour. 2018 was a good year for this, 2019 promises to be better. (This article was originally published on 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)

Iran: A port of call for India

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that though Islamabad is trying to have a dialogue with India, it is New Delhi that is not responding to Pak's talks, leading up to a"bizarre situation".&nbsp;

Khan said this in Turkey while standing alongside the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"We are trying to have a dialogue. Trying to move towards a friendly relationship with India. We had a stand-off with India and India refuses to talk to Pakistan under the pretext that until Pakistan stops terrorism India will not talk to us. Its a bizarre situation were we feel how can you move forward if there is no dialogue, " Khan said.

The Pakistan prime minister was in Turkey on a two-day visit.&nbsp;

Imran Khan said his country "Obviously wants stability" because "We want economic progress which does not come without stability and stability will only take place when Pakistan and India sit down and resolve the differences”.

"The basic problem about Pakistan, India is about Kashmir. Problem with Kashmir is that there is an indigenous movement which is sick of three decades of trying to stop popular and democratic movement," he added.

This is not the first time when Pakistan's Prime Minister has raked up the Kashmir issue and linked it with dialogue process. During the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor on the Pakistani side in November 2018, Khan had said, "Our political leaders, our army are on one page. We want a civilised relationship with India. We have one problem, Kashmir. If man can walk on the moon, what problems are there that we cannot resolve."&nbsp;

India has been saying talks and terror cannot go together. In his first interview of 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said "Whether UPA or NDA government, never opposed dialogue(with Pakistan)" but "amid the noise of bombs and guns, the dialogue cannot be heard".&nbsp;

India had tried to engage with Pakistan especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a stopover at Lahore on December 25, 2015 but it was followed by a major terror attack on Indian army base in Pathankot.&nbsp;

In 2018, Pakistan had suggested foreign ministers of India and Pakistan to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. New Delhi did accept it initially but cancelled it within 24 hours after killings of its security personnel by Pakistan-based entities in Jammu &amp; Kashmir.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Indian Diplomats continued to be harassed in Pakistan. On December 3 major incidents of harassment of Indian Diplomats were reported. An intruder tried to break into the house of an Indian Diplomat on December 10, while on the 21st Indian high commission team was questioned on the road in Peshawar. The electricity was cut for four hours on December 25 at the house of the second secretary. India has sent a number of note verbale also to Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs regarding the issue.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that though Islamabad is trying to have a dialogue with India, it is New Delhi that is not responding to Pak's talks, leading up to a"bizarre situation".

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that though Islamabad is trying to have a dialogue with India, it is New Delhi that is not responding to Pak's talks, leading up to a"bizarre situation". Khan said this in Turkey while standing alongside the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "We are trying to have a dialogue. Trying to move towards a friendly relationship with India. We had a stand-off with India and India refuses to talk to Pakistan under the pretext that until Pakistan stops terrorism India will not talk to us. Its a bizarre situation were we feel how can you move forward if there is no dialogue, " Khan said. The Pakistan prime minister was in Turkey on a two-day visit. Imran Khan said his country "Obviously wants stability" because "We want economic progress which does not come without stability and stability will only take place when Pakistan and India sit down and resolve the differences”. "The basic problem about Pakistan, India is about Kashmir. Problem with Kashmir is that there is an indigenous movement which is sick of three decades of trying to stop popular and democratic movement," he added. This is not the first time when Pakistan's Prime Minister has raked up the Kashmir issue and linked it with dialogue process. During the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor on the Pakistani side in November 2018, Khan had said, "Our political leaders, our army are on one page. We want a civilised relationship with India. We have one problem, Kashmir. If man can walk on the moon, what problems are there that we cannot resolve." India has been saying talks and terror cannot go together. In his first interview of 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said "Whether UPA or NDA government, never opposed dialogue(with Pakistan)" but "amid the noise of bombs and guns, the dialogue cannot be heard". India had tried to engage with Pakistan especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a stopover at Lahore on December 25, 2015 but it was followed by a major terror attack on Indian army base in Pathankot. In 2018, Pakistan had suggested foreign ministers of India and Pakistan to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. New Delhi did accept it initially but cancelled it within 24 hours after killings of its security personnel by Pakistan-based entities in Jammu & Kashmir. Meanwhile, Indian Diplomats continued to be harassed in Pakistan. On December 3 major incidents of harassment of Indian Diplomats were reported. An intruder tried to break into the house of an Indian Diplomat on December 10, while on the 21st Indian high commission team was questioned on the road in Peshawar. The electricity was cut for four hours on December 25 at the house of the second secretary. India has sent a number of note verbale also to Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs regarding the issue.

Trying to have dialogue with India but New Delhi refusing: Pak PM Imran Khan

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) apprehended five Indian fishermen and seized a boat off the Gujarat coast late Thursday night, an official of the National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) said.

PMSA, a branch of the Pakistan Navy, regularly captures Indian fishermen on the charge of crossing into that country's waters.

The boat with five fishermen onboard had sailed off from Porbandar in Gujarat a few days ago, NFF secretary Manish Lodhari told PTI.

The PMSA apprehended them near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian sea, he said.

"As per the information we have received, the PMSA is taking these fishermen to Karachi. They are still in the sea as it takes around 20 hours to reach Karachi from the IMBL," Lodhari said.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) apprehended five Indian fishermen and seized a boat off the Gujarat coast late Thursday night, an official of the National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) said.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) apprehended five Indian fishermen and seized a boat off the Gujarat coast late Thursday night, an official of the National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) said. PMSA, a branch of the Pakistan Navy, regularly captures Indian fishermen on the charge of crossing into that country's waters. The boat with five fishermen onboard had sailed off from Porbandar in Gujarat a few days ago, NFF secretary Manish Lodhari told PTI. The PMSA apprehended them near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian sea, he said. "As per the information we have received, the PMSA is taking these fishermen to Karachi. They are still in the sea as it takes around 20 hours to reach Karachi from the IMBL," Lodhari said.

Pakistan Navy apprehends 5 Indian fishermen off Gujarat coast

The Pakistan Army on Wednesday claimed to have shot down a second "Indian spy quadcopter" flying over the Pakistani side of the Line of Control.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Pakistan Army's media wing, said "Pakistan Army troops shot down another Indian spy quadcopter".&nbsp;

The quadcopter was destroyed in Satwal Sector, he added.

On Tuesday, Maj Gen Gafoor had tweeted along with a picture of the drone, claiming that Pakistan Army troops had shot down an "Indian spy quadcopter" in the Bagh Sector of Pakistani side of the Line of Control, a claim strongly rejected by the Indian Army.

He had said that not even a quadcopter will be allowed to cross (the) LoC.

According to the Pakistani defence officials, "four intruding Indian drones were shot down by Pakistani forces last year."&nbsp;

The Pakistan Army on Wednesday claimed to have shot down a second "Indian spy quadcopter" flying over the Pakistani side of the Line of Control. Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Pakistan Army's media wing, said "Pakistan Army troops shot down another Indian spy quadcopter".

The Pakistan Army on Wednesday claimed to have shot down a second "Indian spy quadcopter" flying over the Pakistani side of the Line of Control. Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Pakistan Army's media wing, said "Pakistan Army troops shot down another Indian spy quadcopter". The quadcopter was destroyed in Satwal Sector, he added. On Tuesday, Maj Gen Gafoor had tweeted along with a picture of the drone, claiming that Pakistan Army troops had shot down an "Indian spy quadcopter" in the Bagh Sector of Pakistani side of the Line of Control, a claim strongly rejected by the Indian Army. He had said that not even a quadcopter will be allowed to cross (the) LoC. According to the Pakistani defence officials, "four intruding Indian drones were shot down by Pakistani forces last year."

Pakistan claims to have destroyed second 'Indian spy quadcopter' along LoC

Pakistan are hoping to host top teams like Australia and South Africa in the near future after what is being seen as a successful trip by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ehsan Mani, to Johannesburg.

According to a reliable source in the board, Mani has held positive discussions with Cricket South Africa officials about them sending teams to Pakistan.

"Cricket SA officials have told Mani they will look into sending the South African under-19, A, women's and senior teams to Pakistan over a period of time," the source said.

He said the PCB is also optimistic that Cricket Australia might agree to play one or two ODIs in late March-April in Lahore and Karachi.

"Things are looking bright after the positive response of CSA with regards to getting more international cricket matches in Pakistan," he added.

Since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, no top side has visited Pakistan due to security concerns.

But the source said that Mani had given the CSA detailed briefings on the improved situation in Pakistan and the strong security plan of the PCB for visiting teams.

Since September 2017, Pakistan has hosted the ICC World Eleven, Sri Lanka and West Indies for short T20 series in Lahore and Karachi and it also held the finals of the last two Pakistan Super League in Karachi.

The newly appointed managing director of the PCB, Wasim Khan, has made it clear his main task would be to see the return of full-fledged international cricket to Pakistan.

Wasim, who takes charge later this month, has said the PCB would be willing to allay the security concerns of visiting teams.

Pakistan are hoping to host top teams like Australia and South Africa in the near future after what is being seen as a successful trip by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ehsan Mani, to Johannesburg.

Pakistan are hoping to host top teams like Australia and South Africa in the near future after what is being seen as a successful trip by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ehsan Mani, to Johannesburg. According to a reliable source in the board, Mani has held positive discussions with Cricket South Africa officials about them sending teams to Pakistan. "Cricket SA officials have told Mani they will look into sending the South African under-19, A, women's and senior teams to Pakistan over a period of time," the source said. He said the PCB is also optimistic that Cricket Australia might agree to play one or two ODIs in late March-April in Lahore and Karachi. "Things are looking bright after the positive response of CSA with regards to getting more international cricket matches in Pakistan," he added. Since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, no top side has visited Pakistan due to security concerns. But the source said that Mani had given the CSA detailed briefings on the improved situation in Pakistan and the strong security plan of the PCB for visiting teams. Since September 2017, Pakistan has hosted the ICC World Eleven, Sri Lanka and West Indies for short T20 series in Lahore and Karachi and it also held the finals of the last two Pakistan Super League in Karachi. The newly appointed managing director of the PCB, Wasim Khan, has made it clear his main task would be to see the return of full-fledged international cricket to Pakistan. Wasim, who takes charge later this month, has said the PCB would be willing to allay the security concerns of visiting teams.

Pakistan hoping to host South Africa, Australia in near future

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-year-will-be-beginning-of-pakistans-golden-era-pm-imran-187686">Pakistan Tuesday summoned </a>India's Acting Deputy High Commissioner and condemned the alleged "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian troops across the Line of Control which resulted in the death of a woman.

Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Mohammad Faisal, who is also the foreign ministry spokesman, summoned the Indian diplomat and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-sc-asks-govt-to-review-decision-to-place-172-people-on-exit-control-list-187590">the Line of Control on December</a> 31," the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.

The firing in the Shahkot Sector along the LoC resulted in the death of the woman, identified as Asia Bibi, and injured seven others on Monday, it said.

Faisal said that the Indian forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary are "continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy weapons."

The FO alleged that in 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 2,350 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary, resulting in the death of 36 civilians, while injuring 142 others.

"This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed 1970 ceasefire violations," it alleged.

"The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation," the statement said.

Faisal urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary.&nbsp;

He urged that the Indian side should permit UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

India maintains that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the LoC.

Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Mohammad Faisal said that the Indian forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary are 'continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy weapons.'

Pakistan Tuesday summoned India's Acting Deputy High Commissioner and condemned the alleged "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian troops across the Line of Control which resulted in the death of a woman. Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Mohammad Faisal, who is also the foreign ministry spokesman, summoned the Indian diplomat and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control on December 31," the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. The firing in the Shahkot Sector along the LoC resulted in the death of the woman, identified as Asia Bibi, and injured seven others on Monday, it said. Faisal said that the Indian forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary are "continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy weapons." The FO alleged that in 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 2,350 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary, resulting in the death of 36 civilians, while injuring 142 others. "This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed 1970 ceasefire violations," it alleged. "The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation," the statement said. Faisal urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary. He urged that the Indian side should permit UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions. India maintains that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the LoC.

Pakistan summons senior Indian diplomat over 'ceasefire violations'

Afghanistan's neighbours, caught off-guard by reports of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-orders-to-pull-out-top-us-commander-in-afghanistan-186177">US plans to withdraw thousands of troops</a>, have begun preparing for the risk that a pullout could send hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing across their borders, diplomats say.

Alarmed by the possibility of a chaotic withdrawal, diplomats from neighbouring countries who have been in talks with US officials in Kabul said they were reassessing policies and would ramp up border preparations.

"At this point, there is no clarity about the withdrawal, but we have to keep a clear action plan ready," said a senior Asian diplomat based in Kabul. "The situation can turn from bad to worse very quickly."&nbsp;

A White House spokesman last week said US President Donald Trump had not issued orders to the Pentagon to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

But the administration has not denied reports that the United States plans to pull out almost half of the 14,000-strong force currently deployed.

The reports come amid an intensification of moves towards peace negotiations in Afghanistan. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban representatives last month and discussed issues around a future troop withdrawal as well as proposals for a ceasefire.

But even among regional powers such as Iran, Pakistan or Russia that have long been suspicious that the United States wants permanent military bases in South Asia, there is no appetite for a sudden US withdrawal, say analysts.

"While the news of a potential US drawdown may be a reason for cautious optimism in the region, they don't want an abrupt withdrawal," said Graeme Smith, a consultant for the International Crisis Group.

"All sides recognise that a precipitous pullout could spark a new civil war that destabilises the region. The neighbours do not enjoy surprises, and the uncertain signals from Washington are causing anxiety."

The United States, which sent troops to Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington and at the peak of the deployment had more than 100,000 troops in the country, withdrew most of its forces in 2014, but still keeps around 14,000 troops there as part of a NATO-led mission aiding the Afghan security forces and hunting militants.

The top US general in Afghanistan said 2019 was going to be an interesting year.

"The policy review is going on in multiple capitals, peace talks out there, regional players pressing for peace, the Taliban talking about peace, the Afghan government talking about peace," said General Scott Miller, the US commander of Afghanistan`s NATO-led force, at the Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul.

BORDER SECURITY

Pakistan, which was already working to fence its 1,400 km (870 miles) frontier with Afghanistan and deploy a 50,000-strong paramilitary force along the border, is preparing for a fresh influx of refugees in the event of a disorder.

"Camps will be set up near the border to manage a fresh wave of Afghan refugees and illegal migrants and Afghans will not be allowed to set up illegal homes in Pakistan," said an official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Afghanistan, which shares borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China, is already the world`s second-biggest source of refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that approximately 1.4 million undocumented Afghans live in Pakistan and possibly 1.2 million in Iran.

While thousands of undocumented Afghans were driven out of Iran by recent political and economic turbulence, Iranian officials in Kabul said they fear a sudden US troop withdrawal could reverse that trend.

"We are working closely with the Afghan government to stop Afghans from entering our country. We don't want to use violence to stop them, but a sudden US pullout will lead to a crisis," said an Iranian official.

Afghanistan does not share a land border with Turkey, but Afghans enter Turkey from Iran to work as shepherds, farmers or in the construction sector. Many use it as a transit point to try to enter Europe.

"We have not closed our door but the number of illegal migrants is increasing on a daily basis," said Mehmet Ozgur Sak, the second secretary at the Turkish embassy in Kabul.&nbsp;

In 2018, Turkish police say they intercepted 90,000 Afghans who were trying to enter the country with fake documents or with the help of traffickers, double the number in 2017.

As negotiations over the future of the country gather momentum, the Taliban have been trying to reassure Afghans that they have nothing to fear after foreign forces leave.

But there are Afghans who refuse to trust the Taliban`s new stance. Sayed Rafi Sadat, a student in western Herat province, said the Taliban would impose harsh laws to destroy democracy.

"If US troops withdraw then there is no hope for the future and we will have to leave the country," he said.

A White House spokesman last week said US President Donald Trump had not issued orders to the Pentagon to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's neighbours, caught off-guard by reports of US plans to withdraw thousands of troops, have begun preparing for the risk that a pullout could send hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing across their borders, diplomats say. Alarmed by the possibility of a chaotic withdrawal, diplomats from neighbouring countries who have been in talks with US officials in Kabul said they were reassessing policies and would ramp up border preparations. "At this point, there is no clarity about the withdrawal, but we have to keep a clear action plan ready," said a senior Asian diplomat based in Kabul. "The situation can turn from bad to worse very quickly." A White House spokesman last week said US President Donald Trump had not issued orders to the Pentagon to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. But the administration has not denied reports that the United States plans to pull out almost half of the 14,000-strong force currently deployed. The reports come amid an intensification of moves towards peace negotiations in Afghanistan. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban representatives last month and discussed issues around a future troop withdrawal as well as proposals for a ceasefire. But even among regional powers such as Iran, Pakistan or Russia that have long been suspicious that the United States wants permanent military bases in South Asia, there is no appetite for a sudden US withdrawal, say analysts. "While the news of a potential US drawdown may be a reason for cautious optimism in the region, they don't want an abrupt withdrawal," said Graeme Smith, a consultant for the International Crisis Group. "All sides recognise that a precipitous pullout could spark a new civil war that destabilises the region. The neighbours do not enjoy surprises, and the uncertain signals from Washington are causing anxiety." The United States, which sent troops to Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington and at the peak of the deployment had more than 100,000 troops in the country, withdrew most of its forces in 2014, but still keeps around 14,000 troops there as part of a NATO-led mission aiding the Afghan security forces and hunting militants. The top US general in Afghanistan said 2019 was going to be an interesting year. "The policy review is going on in multiple capitals, peace talks out there, regional players pressing for peace, the Taliban talking about peace, the Afghan government talking about peace," said General Scott Miller, the US commander of Afghanistan`s NATO-led force, at the Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul. BORDER SECURITY Pakistan, which was already working to fence its 1,400 km (870 miles) frontier with Afghanistan and deploy a 50,000-strong paramilitary force along the border, is preparing for a fresh influx of refugees in the event of a disorder. "Camps will be set up near the border to manage a fresh wave of Afghan refugees and illegal migrants and Afghans will not be allowed to set up illegal homes in Pakistan," said an official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Afghanistan, which shares borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China, is already the world`s second-biggest source of refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that approximately 1.4 million undocumented Afghans live in Pakistan and possibly 1.2 million in Iran. While thousands of undocumented Afghans were driven out of Iran by recent political and economic turbulence, Iranian officials in Kabul said they fear a sudden US troop withdrawal could reverse that trend. "We are working closely with the Afghan government to stop Afghans from entering our country. We don't want to use violence to stop them, but a sudden US pullout will lead to a crisis," said an Iranian official. Afghanistan does not share a land border with Turkey, but Afghans enter Turkey from Iran to work as shepherds, farmers or in the construction sector. Many use it as a transit point to try to enter Europe. "We have not closed our door but the number of illegal migrants is increasing on a daily basis," said Mehmet Ozgur Sak, the second secretary at the Turkish embassy in Kabul. In 2018, Turkish police say they intercepted 90,000 Afghans who were trying to enter the country with fake documents or with the help of traffickers, double the number in 2017. As negotiations over the future of the country gather momentum, the Taliban have been trying to reassure Afghans that they have nothing to fear after foreign forces leave. But there are Afghans who refuse to trust the Taliban`s new stance. Sayed Rafi Sadat, a student in western Herat province, said the Taliban would impose harsh laws to destroy democracy. "If US troops withdraw then there is no hope for the future and we will have to leave the country," he said.

Afghanistan's neighbours fear refugee crisis if US pulls out

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-detains-member-of-british-house-of-lords-at-islamabad-airport-187159">Pakistan's national carrier</a> has terminated the contracts of over 50 employees, including seven pilots after they were found guilty of holding fake degrees. 
&nbsp; 
The directives were issued in view of the proceedings of Pakistan's Supreme Court against pilots and cabin crews with fake degrees and certificates.

"Action has been taken against the PIA employees after the respective educational institutions found their degrees bogus/fake," a statement issued by Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesperson Mashood Tajwar said that a probe has been initiated into the cases of all staffers who were hired holding sham degrees.

The CAA said that degree verification of another 400 PIA employees is underway.&nbsp;

Director General of CAA Hassan Baig has also issued directives to suspend the licenses of all those pilots and cabin crews who have not yet submitted their degrees and certificates.

"Their licenses will remain suspended till they submit their referred documents for verification," Baig said.&nbsp;

The CAA had revealed before a Supreme Court bench this week that academic credentials of seven pilots of the PIA had been found to be bogus.

The bench was hearing a matter relating to the verification of degrees of pilots and other staff of the PIA.&nbsp;

The directives were issued in view of the proceedings of Pakistan's Supreme Court against pilots and cabin crews with fake degrees and certificates.

Pakistan's national carrier has terminated the contracts of over 50 employees, including seven pilots after they were found guilty of holding fake degrees. The directives were issued in view of the proceedings of Pakistan's Supreme Court against pilots and cabin crews with fake degrees and certificates. "Action has been taken against the PIA employees after the respective educational institutions found their degrees bogus/fake," a statement issued by Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesperson Mashood Tajwar said that a probe has been initiated into the cases of all staffers who were hired holding sham degrees. The CAA said that degree verification of another 400 PIA employees is underway. Director General of CAA Hassan Baig has also issued directives to suspend the licenses of all those pilots and cabin crews who have not yet submitted their degrees and certificates. "Their licenses will remain suspended till they submit their referred documents for verification," Baig said. The CAA had revealed before a Supreme Court bench this week that academic credentials of seven pilots of the PIA had been found to be bogus. The bench was hearing a matter relating to the verification of degrees of pilots and other staff of the PIA.

Pakistan's national carrier sacks 50 employees for holding fake degrees

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-rise-and-fall-of-pakistans-nawaz-sharif-186358">Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif </a>will challenge his conviction in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in the Islamabad High Court this week, his lawyer said on Sunday after the PML-N supremo was sentenced to seven years in jail for corruption.

Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia Steel Mills case - were launched<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ousted-pakistan-pm-nawaz-sharif-shifted-to-kot-lakhpat-jail-in-lahore-186373"> against the Sharif family</a> by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017, following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif as prime minister in the high-profile Panama Papers case in July last year.

Last Monday, an anti-corruption court in Islamabad sentenced 68-year-old Sharif to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case but acquitted him in the Flagship Investment case.

The accountability court had also imposed a fine of $ 2.5 million and 1.5 million pounds on Sharif.

"We have almost finalised the draft of the appeal against the verdict (against Sharif) and will file it in the Islamabad High Court this week," Sharif's lawyer Khwaja Haris told PTI. He said, "We are hopeful to get relief from the high court as there are many loopholes in the judgment of the accountability court".

Sharif's legal team also called on him at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on Saturday and discussed with him legal matters related to the appeal challenging the accountability court's verdict. They also met his daughter Maryam Nawaz at the Sharif's Jati Umra residence in Raiwind and discussed the case.

The accountability court had also barred Sharif from holding public office for 10 years after completing his sentence. It also ordered confiscation of his Hill Metal Establishment firm and issued perpetual warrants of arrest for his sons - Hussain and Hassan - who had been declared proclaimed offenders.

This was the second conviction of three-time prime minister Sharif this year, as he had been convicted for 10 years, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz (seven years) and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar (one year), in the Avenfield case in July.

The Islamabad High Court had suspended their sentence and they were released on September 19 after spending 63 days in prison. The three corruption references were filed in the court against the Sharif family following revelations of their offshore holdings in the Panama Papers in 2016.

Sharif spent a night in Adialia jail in Rawalpindi after his conviction on Monday and was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail the next day.

Sharif's younger brother and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif is also incarcerated at the Kot Lakhpat jail in the Rs 14 billion Ashiyana Housing scam.

According to jail sources, both brothers meet each other as they are in the same barrack. Shahbaz, also the opposition leader in the National Assembly, will be shifted to Islamabad when the parliamentary session is underway.&nbsp;

The PML-N has expressed hope that Sharif will get relief from the high court as no corruption has been proven against him.

"According to our legal team the judgment of the accountability court is very weak and we have strong grounds to pin hopes to get relief from the high court," said PML-N senior leader and former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal.

He said in the Al-Azizia case "justice has not been served as there are many loopholes in the judgment".&nbsp;

Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia Steel Mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017.

Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif will challenge his conviction in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in the Islamabad High Court this week, his lawyer said on Sunday after the PML-N supremo was sentenced to seven years in jail for corruption. Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia Steel Mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017, following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif as prime minister in the high-profile Panama Papers case in July last year. Last Monday, an anti-corruption court in Islamabad sentenced 68-year-old Sharif to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case but acquitted him in the Flagship Investment case. The accountability court had also imposed a fine of $ 2.5 million and 1.5 million pounds on Sharif. "We have almost finalised the draft of the appeal against the verdict (against Sharif) and will file it in the Islamabad High Court this week," Sharif's lawyer Khwaja Haris told PTI. He said, "We are hopeful to get relief from the high court as there are many loopholes in the judgment of the accountability court". Sharif's legal team also called on him at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on Saturday and discussed with him legal matters related to the appeal challenging the accountability court's verdict. They also met his daughter Maryam Nawaz at the Sharif's Jati Umra residence in Raiwind and discussed the case. The accountability court had also barred Sharif from holding public office for 10 years after completing his sentence. It also ordered confiscation of his Hill Metal Establishment firm and issued perpetual warrants of arrest for his sons - Hussain and Hassan - who had been declared proclaimed offenders. This was the second conviction of three-time prime minister Sharif this year, as he had been convicted for 10 years, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz (seven years) and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar (one year), in the Avenfield case in July. The Islamabad High Court had suspended their sentence and they were released on September 19 after spending 63 days in prison. The three corruption references were filed in the court against the Sharif family following revelations of their offshore holdings in the Panama Papers in 2016. Sharif spent a night in Adialia jail in Rawalpindi after his conviction on Monday and was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail the next day. Sharif's younger brother and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif is also incarcerated at the Kot Lakhpat jail in the Rs 14 billion Ashiyana Housing scam. According to jail sources, both brothers meet each other as they are in the same barrack. Shahbaz, also the opposition leader in the National Assembly, will be shifted to Islamabad when the parliamentary session is underway. The PML-N has expressed hope that Sharif will get relief from the high court as no corruption has been proven against him. "According to our legal team the judgment of the accountability court is very weak and we have strong grounds to pin hopes to get relief from the high court," said PML-N senior leader and former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal. He said in the Al-Azizia case "justice has not been served as there are many loopholes in the judgment".

Ousted Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to challenge conviction in graft case

In what is certain to create trouble for Islamabad's anti-India lobbying efforts in the United Kingdom, the Pakistani authorities detained Lord Nazir Ahmed at Islamabad airport for several hours on Christmas Day.

A member of the British House of Lords, Nazir remained a puppet for Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue in UK.

He used to hold anti-India protests in London to mislead the international community.

Nazir was not allowed to enter the Pakistani territory as his National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) was expired.

Sources reveal that he was given 72-hours landing permit after having heated arguments with the authorities.

He reached Islamabad by Qatar Airways. Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials told him that a valid NICOP is must for entry into Pakistan.

"We know you very well and respect your status but a law is law and no one is above the law. Firstly, we can't allow you to enter the city with invalid NICOP, secondly, if we hypothetically give you permission, it would become hot news for media and unnecessary controversy will start", Pakistani media quoted the officials.

Lord Ahmed said that it was very humiliating and embarrassing moments for him and it happened only because of wrong information floated by none other than PM Imran Khan's personal advisor Zulfiqar Ahmed Zulfi who told in London last week that NICOP is not necessary to travel to Pakistan."I shall advise to every overseas Pakistani to be vigilant and well informed before travelling. Thoroughly check and complete all necessary documents before starting their journey to Pakistan", Lord Ahmed stated.

"These PTI punters should not misguide their overseas countrymen and I shall bring this saga into knowledge of PM Imran Khan if I get a chance to meet him", said The Nation while quoting Lord Ahmed.

In what is certain to create trouble for Islamabad's anti-India lobbying efforts in the United Kingdom, the Pakistani authorities detained Lord Nazir Ahmed at Islamabad airport for several hours on Christmas Day.

In what is certain to create trouble for Islamabad's anti-India lobbying efforts in the United Kingdom, the Pakistani authorities detained Lord Nazir Ahmed at Islamabad airport for several hours on Christmas Day. A member of the British House of Lords, Nazir remained a puppet for Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue in UK. He used to hold anti-India protests in London to mislead the international community. Nazir was not allowed to enter the Pakistani territory as his National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) was expired. Sources reveal that he was given 72-hours landing permit after having heated arguments with the authorities. He reached Islamabad by Qatar Airways. Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials told him that a valid NICOP is must for entry into Pakistan. "We know you very well and respect your status but a law is law and no one is above the law. Firstly, we can't allow you to enter the city with invalid NICOP, secondly, if we hypothetically give you permission, it would become hot news for media and unnecessary controversy will start", Pakistani media quoted the officials. Lord Ahmed said that it was very humiliating and embarrassing moments for him and it happened only because of wrong information floated by none other than PM Imran Khan's personal advisor Zulfiqar Ahmed Zulfi who told in London last week that NICOP is not necessary to travel to Pakistan."I shall advise to every overseas Pakistani to be vigilant and well informed before travelling. Thoroughly check and complete all necessary documents before starting their journey to Pakistan", Lord Ahmed stated. "These PTI punters should not misguide their overseas countrymen and I shall bring this saga into knowledge of PM Imran Khan if I get a chance to meet him", said The Nation while quoting Lord Ahmed.

Pakistan detains member of British House of Lords at Islamabad airport

In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was "ashamed" of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts.&nbsp;

The undated video clips, which have been posted by dissident Pakistani columnist Gul Bukhari, also shows the self-exiled former president as saying that he thinks that the negligence of the ISI was "pardonable" as the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11.

General (retd) Musharraf, 75, was Pakistan's president between 2001 and 2008, before resigning to avoid impeachment.&nbsp;

The former army chief has been living in Dubai since March 2016 after he left for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. He is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014.&nbsp;

"All I am saying is, I have certain credentials from the past. I need to come (to power) again and I need to be supported. Not overtly, but in a covert manner. So that we win again," Musharraf is seen as telling US lawmakers in one of the leaked video of the meeting.&nbsp;

When posed with tough questions, he rued that US lawmakers "are too involved in minor tactics".

He also claimed that Pakistan used the money, given by the US for fight against terrorist, to bring down the poverty from 34 per cent to 17 per cent.

To which, those present in the meeting were quick to point out that none of the US Congress members voted for US $20 billion aid to Pakistan in the last 10 years because of poverty.&nbsp;

Money was given to Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban, the lawmakers said, to which the former Pakistan president sought the US to help him get back to power.

In the first video clip, he is seen walking in the corridors of the US House of Representatives. The video clips seems to be from 2012, after he was ousted from power.&nbsp;

In the third segment of the clip, Musharraf is seen in conversation with a lobbyist and Chairman of the powerful American Jewish Congress Jack Rosen during an informal get-together. One of those present in that meeting was Congressman Gary Ackerman.

He argues that there was no complicity in Pakistan not being able to find out Osama bin-Laden.

"There are aspersions against Pakistan of hiding Osama bin Laden," Musharraf says in his meeting with US Congressmen.&nbsp;

"First of all, is the US against Pakistan, or annoyed with the Army and ISI, because they believe there was complicity? My view is that there was no complicity and I would like to say a few words on that," he told the lawmakers.

"There was negligence. Certainly. And we are all ashamed. Even, I, though I am not in the government now, I am ashamed that there was this level of negligence by the ISI that we did not know. I think negligence is pardonable," he said, adding that the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11.&nbsp;

Referring to the 18 people being trained in the US, Musharraf alleged that CIA being such a big organisation was sleeping.&nbsp;

"ISI was also sleeping. Let's leave it at that," he said.

In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was "ashamed" of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts.

In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was "ashamed" of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts. The undated video clips, which have been posted by dissident Pakistani columnist Gul Bukhari, also shows the self-exiled former president as saying that he thinks that the negligence of the ISI was "pardonable" as the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, was Pakistan's president between 2001 and 2008, before resigning to avoid impeachment. The former army chief has been living in Dubai since March 2016 after he left for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. He is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014. "All I am saying is, I have certain credentials from the past. I need to come (to power) again and I need to be supported. Not overtly, but in a covert manner. So that we win again," Musharraf is seen as telling US lawmakers in one of the leaked video of the meeting. When posed with tough questions, he rued that US lawmakers "are too involved in minor tactics". He also claimed that Pakistan used the money, given by the US for fight against terrorist, to bring down the poverty from 34 per cent to 17 per cent. To which, those present in the meeting were quick to point out that none of the US Congress members voted for US $20 billion aid to Pakistan in the last 10 years because of poverty. Money was given to Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban, the lawmakers said, to which the former Pakistan president sought the US to help him get back to power. In the first video clip, he is seen walking in the corridors of the US House of Representatives. The video clips seems to be from 2012, after he was ousted from power. In the third segment of the clip, Musharraf is seen in conversation with a lobbyist and Chairman of the powerful American Jewish Congress Jack Rosen during an informal get-together. One of those present in that meeting was Congressman Gary Ackerman. He argues that there was no complicity in Pakistan not being able to find out Osama bin-Laden. "There are aspersions against Pakistan of hiding Osama bin Laden," Musharraf says in his meeting with US Congressmen. "First of all, is the US against Pakistan, or annoyed with the Army and ISI, because they believe there was complicity? My view is that there was no complicity and I would like to say a few words on that," he told the lawmakers. "There was negligence. Certainly. And we are all ashamed. Even, I, though I am not in the government now, I am ashamed that there was this level of negligence by the ISI that we did not know. I think negligence is pardonable," he said, adding that the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11. Referring to the 18 people being trained in the US, Musharraf alleged that CIA being such a big organisation was sleeping. "ISI was also sleeping. Let's leave it at that," he said.

Leaked video shows Musharraf seeking covert US support to regain power

Days after Bangladesh’s elite counter-terrorism unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unearthed a plot of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trying to sabotage upcoming elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders, the RAB chief Benazir Ahmed made some startling revelation in an exclusive interaction with Wion.

He said that Pakistan authorities have confirmed that politicians from their country are in touch with a Bangladesh political party to rig polls are scheduled for December 30.

"We have enough inputs shared by our counterparts in Pakistan that some Pakistan based politicians were in touch with a political party in Bangladesh. We have been given specific inputs and we are working on it," said RAB chief.&nbsp;

Ahmed also said that the huge amount of money recovered from two locations in Dhaka was part of a conspiracy aimed to influence voters.

"The money was brought to Bangladesh through hawala and the hundis. It was sourced from middle-eastern countries aimed to influence voters and use the money to create tension by violence. The day we raided these offices on December 25 was the same day a huge amount of money was sent to Shariatpur constituency, later the area witnessed widespread violence," added Ahmed.&nbsp;

Most importantly, Ahmed said that this could be just the tip of the iceberg.&nbsp;

"This is a part of an organised network. We found registers that contained recent entries. The details mentioned constituencies and the amount of black money distributed. We are tracking the money trail," Ahmed said.&nbsp;

On being quizzed whether the acting chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman who is on a self-imposed exile in London held meetings with ISI agency regarding the monetary transaction, he said that the possibility that cannot be ruled out.

The RAB is also investigating whether the phone conversation that had surfaced between a BNP leader and ISI agency had any connection with the raid.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Days after Bangladesh’s elite counter-terrorism unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unearthed a plot of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trying to sabotage upcoming elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders, the RAB chief Benazir Ahmed made some startling revelation in an exclusive interaction with Wion.

Days after Bangladesh’s elite counter-terrorism unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unearthed a plot of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trying to sabotage upcoming elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders, the RAB chief Benazir Ahmed made some startling revelation in an exclusive interaction with Wion. He said that Pakistan authorities have confirmed that politicians from their country are in touch with a Bangladesh political party to rig polls are scheduled for December 30. "We have enough inputs shared by our counterparts in Pakistan that some Pakistan based politicians were in touch with a political party in Bangladesh. We have been given specific inputs and we are working on it," said RAB chief. Ahmed also said that the huge amount of money recovered from two locations in Dhaka was part of a conspiracy aimed to influence voters. "The money was brought to Bangladesh through hawala and the hundis. It was sourced from middle-eastern countries aimed to influence voters and use the money to create tension by violence. The day we raided these offices on December 25 was the same day a huge amount of money was sent to Shariatpur constituency, later the area witnessed widespread violence," added Ahmed. Most importantly, Ahmed said that this could be just the tip of the iceberg. "This is a part of an organised network. We found registers that contained recent entries. The details mentioned constituencies and the amount of black money distributed. We are tracking the money trail," Ahmed said. On being quizzed whether the acting chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman who is on a self-imposed exile in London held meetings with ISI agency regarding the monetary transaction, he said that the possibility that cannot be ruled out. The RAB is also investigating whether the phone conversation that had surfaced between a BNP leader and ISI agency had any connection with the raid.

Pakistan leaders are trying to meddle upcoming Bangladesh elections: RAB chief to WION

Dale Steyn became South Africa's leading test wicket-taker and Duanne Olivier took career-best figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the first test on Wednesday.

But the visitors mounted a spirited fightback with the ball, reducing South Africa to 127 for five at the close. Top scorer Themba Bavuma (38 not out) and nightwatchman Steyn (13 not out) will resume on day two with the hosts still trailing by 54 runs.

South Africa ripped through Pakistan after being asked to bowl by visiting captain Sarfraz Ahmed as Olivier, in the side for the injured Vernon Philander, claimed 6-37 with his pace and accuracy on a wicket already showing a variable bounce.

But the headlines will revolve around Steyn, who had opener Fakhar Zaman (12) caught at slip by Elgar to move to 422 test wickets, taking outright top spot on South Africa's all-time list ahead of Shaun Pollock.

He was hoisted on the shoulders of fast bowling partner Kagiso Rabada as the healthy Boxing Day crowd at Centurion Park gave him a standing ovation.

The visitors were in early trouble when Rabada (3-59) had Imam-ul-Haq trapped lbw for a duck.

After Steyn (1-66) had removed Zaman with the score on 17, Pakistan moved past 50 before Shan Masood (19) played the ball on to his own stumps off the impressive Olivier.

Asad Shafiq (seven) never looked comfortable at the crease and became Olivier’s second victim as Pakistan took lunch on 76 for four.

The fast bowler ripped through the middle order after the break, removing Azhar Ali (36), Sarfraz (0) and Mohammad Amir (1) in quick succession.

Pakistan were reduced to 111 for eight but mounted an excellent fightback through Babar Azam (71 from 79 balls) as he put on 67 for the ninth wicket with Hasan Ali (21 not out) before being caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off Rabada.

Pakistan continued their turnaround with the ball as they reduced the home side to 43 for four when Shaheen Afridi (2-36) took the wickets of Dean Elgar (22) and home captain Du Plessis (0) off successive deliveries, both off the edge of the bat.

Aiden Markram (12) and struggling Hashim Amla (8) also fell to high-quality fast bowling from Hasan and Amir, who picked up the wicket of Theunis de Bruyn (29) late in the day.

Dale Steyn became South Africa's leading test wicket-taker and Duanne Olivier took career-best figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the first test on Wednesday.

Dale Steyn became South Africa's leading test wicket-taker and Duanne Olivier took career-best figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the first test on Wednesday. But the visitors mounted a spirited fightback with the ball, reducing South Africa to 127 for five at the close. Top scorer Themba Bavuma (38 not out) and nightwatchman Steyn (13 not out) will resume on day two with the hosts still trailing by 54 runs. South Africa ripped through Pakistan after being asked to bowl by visiting captain Sarfraz Ahmed as Olivier, in the side for the injured Vernon Philander, claimed 6-37 with his pace and accuracy on a wicket already showing a variable bounce. But the headlines will revolve around Steyn, who had opener Fakhar Zaman (12) caught at slip by Elgar to move to 422 test wickets, taking outright top spot on South Africa's all-time list ahead of Shaun Pollock. He was hoisted on the shoulders of fast bowling partner Kagiso Rabada as the healthy Boxing Day crowd at Centurion Park gave him a standing ovation. The visitors were in early trouble when Rabada (3-59) had Imam-ul-Haq trapped lbw for a duck. After Steyn (1-66) had removed Zaman with the score on 17, Pakistan moved past 50 before Shan Masood (19) played the ball on to his own stumps off the impressive Olivier. Asad Shafiq (seven) never looked comfortable at the crease and became Olivier’s second victim as Pakistan took lunch on 76 for four. The fast bowler ripped through the middle order after the break, removing Azhar Ali (36), Sarfraz (0) and Mohammad Amir (1) in quick succession. Pakistan were reduced to 111 for eight but mounted an excellent fightback through Babar Azam (71 from 79 balls) as he put on 67 for the ninth wicket with Hasan Ali (21 not out) before being caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off Rabada. Pakistan continued their turnaround with the ball as they reduced the home side to 43 for four when Shaheen Afridi (2-36) took the wickets of Dean Elgar (22) and home captain Du Plessis (0) off successive deliveries, both off the edge of the bat. Aiden Markram (12) and struggling Hashim Amla (8) also fell to high-quality fast bowling from Hasan and Amir, who picked up the wicket of Theunis de Bruyn (29) late in the day.

South Africa's Steyn makes history, Olivier shines before Pakistan fightback

One of the alleged masterminds of an attack by a Pakistani separatist group on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-firing-reported-outside-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-178903">Chinese consulate in Karachi </a>last month has been killed along with five associates, the insurgent group said on Wednesday.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which opposes projects linked to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative in resource-rich Baluchistan, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the death of Aslam Baloch, one of its leaders.

"The important BLA commander Aslam Baloch, along with five associates in the organisation were martyred in an enemy attack on Monday," Jiand Baloch, a spokesman for the separatist group said in a statement that gave no further details.

Pakistan's Samaa Television reported that Aslam was killed along with a number of his commanders in a suicide attack in Aino Maina in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, across the border from Baluchistan.

There was no claim of responsibility for the killings and a spokesman for the Pakistani foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Last month, three attackers stormed the Chinese consulate in Karachi, killing four people. Security forces killed the three attackers who were carrying explosives.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-chinese-consulate-not-surprising-imran-khan-179053">Pakistan</a> has long accused its old rival India of supporting insurgents in Baluchistan. India denies helping Baluchistan insurgents and accuses Pakistan of nurturing Islamist militants throughout the region.

China has funded development of a deepwater port at Gwadar in south Baluchistan and is also investing in other projects as part of the giant China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Baluchistan, on the borders of Afghanistan and Iran, has rich mineral and natural gas reserves but is Pakistan's poorest province.

Separatists have for decades campaigned against what they see as the unfair exploitation of resources, in particular, natural gas and minerals.

One of the alleged masterminds of an attack by a Pakistani separatist group on the Chinese consulate in Karachi last month has been killed along with five associates, the insurgent group said on Wednesday.

One of the alleged masterminds of an attack by a Pakistani separatist group on the Chinese consulate in Karachi last month has been killed along with five associates, the insurgent group said on Wednesday. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which opposes projects linked to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative in resource-rich Baluchistan, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the death of Aslam Baloch, one of its leaders. "The important BLA commander Aslam Baloch, along with five associates in the organisation were martyred in an enemy attack on Monday," Jiand Baloch, a spokesman for the separatist group said in a statement that gave no further details. Pakistan's Samaa Television reported that Aslam was killed along with a number of his commanders in a suicide attack in Aino Maina in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, across the border from Baluchistan. There was no claim of responsibility for the killings and a spokesman for the Pakistani foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Last month, three attackers stormed the Chinese consulate in Karachi, killing four people. Security forces killed the three attackers who were carrying explosives. Pakistan has long accused its old rival India of supporting insurgents in Baluchistan. India denies helping Baluchistan insurgents and accuses Pakistan of nurturing Islamist militants throughout the region. China has funded development of a deepwater port at Gwadar in south Baluchistan and is also investing in other projects as part of the giant China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Baluchistan, on the borders of Afghanistan and Iran, has rich mineral and natural gas reserves but is Pakistan's poorest province. Separatists have for decades campaigned against what they see as the unfair exploitation of resources, in particular, natural gas and minerals.

Pakistan: Alleged mastermind of Karachi's Chinese consulate attack killed

Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and former Member of Pakistan National Assembly (MNA) Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead in Karachi on Tuesday, stated Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho.

According to Dawn, two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on Abidi's car on Khayaban-e-Ghazi Street in DHA neighbourhood, divulged Station House Office Gizri Asad Mangi.

Police have sealed the area and have launched a search operation to arrest the killers.

However, the number of culprits cannot be ascertained as yet. Abidi succumbed to his injuries after he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

His body has been shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for postmortem.

Abidi had resigned from MQM-P's "basic membership" citing "personal reasons" in September, the Dawn reported.

The investigation in his killing is underway as the forensic experts and other investigation agencies have arrived at the crime scene.

Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and former Member of Pakistan National Assembly (MNA) Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead in Karachi on Tuesday, stated Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho.

Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and former Member of Pakistan National Assembly (MNA) Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead in Karachi on Tuesday, stated Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho. According to Dawn, two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on Abidi's car on Khayaban-e-Ghazi Street in DHA neighbourhood, divulged Station House Office Gizri Asad Mangi. Police have sealed the area and have launched a search operation to arrest the killers. However, the number of culprits cannot be ascertained as yet. Abidi succumbed to his injuries after he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. His body has been shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for postmortem. Abidi had resigned from MQM-P's "basic membership" citing "personal reasons" in September, the Dawn reported. The investigation in his killing is underway as the forensic experts and other investigation agencies have arrived at the crime scene.

Former Pakistani lawmaker Ali Raza Abidi assassinated in Karachi

A week&nbsp;after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hamid-nihal-ansari-in-jail-in-pak-for-6-years-crosses-back-over-into-india-185105">Hamid Nehal Ansari's return</a> to India, India on Wednesday released two Pakistani men Abdullah and Imran Qureshi Warsi.&nbsp;

India returned — via the Wagah border, the same route Hamid Nehal took — Imran Qureshi Warsi who came to India, fell in love with an Indian woman, married her, settled down here and started a family with her.&nbsp;

Imran Warsi had come to India in 2004 — on a valid visa. He fell in love with his (to be) Indian wife a little after getting here.&nbsp;

But he continued to stay on here after his visa expired.&nbsp;

The police caught up with Imran in 2008, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Imran was lodged at Bhopal jail.

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Pakistani national Imran Qureshi Warsi who was lodged in Bhopal jail since 10 years for forging documents and spying returns to Pakistan from Attari-Wagah border. <a href="https://t.co/77Y85JJxpY">pic.twitter.com/77Y85JJxpY</a>
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Wagah-Attari border: Abdullah, a Pakistani national who crossed over in 2017, being released by the Indian authorities - I came to India through Attari in 2017. It was my childhood dream to come to India &amp; meet Shah Rukh Khan. My dream was not fulfilled. I'll come back again. <a href="https://t.co/1ar1c7hEDb">pic.twitter.com/1ar1c7hEDb</a>
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India released a second Pakistani national, Abdullah, on Wednesday. Abdullah said he had crossed over to India in 2017 to meet Shah Rukh Khan.&nbsp;

"It was my childhood dream to come to India and meet Shah Rukh Khan," Abdullah said. "My dream was not fulfilled. I'll come back again."&nbsp;

Imran's sentence ended in January but he remained in jail since he was unable to pay the accompanying fine. (The Pakistan high commission in Delhi did not help.)&nbsp;

Unlike Hamid Nehal who said he was tortured in Pakistan — Hamid had crossed over into Pakistan from Afghanistan in 2012 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-never-fall-in-love-on-facebook-hamid-nihal-ansari-says-after-6-years-in-pakistani-jails-185503">to meet a girl he had befriended on Facebook</a>; the Pakistanis thought he was a spy — Imran, 36, said he is all praise for the Indian police and grateful to the activists who brought his case to light.&nbsp;

Imran's release comes as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/message-to-india-pak-govts-is-humanity-is-bigger-than-any-religion-hamid-nihal-ansari-to-wion-185377">a ray of hope for 11 Indian prisoners</a> who have completed their sentences but continue to languish&nbsp;in Pakistani jails.&nbsp;

There are reportedly 32 such Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.&nbsp;

A week after Hamid Nehal Ansari's return to India, India on Wednesday released two Pakistani men Abdullah and Imran Qureshi Warsi. India returned — via the Wagah border, the same route Hamid Nehal took — Imran Qureshi Warsi who came to India, fell in love with an Indian woman, married her, settled down here and started a family with her.

A week after Hamid Nehal Ansari's return to India, India on Wednesday released two Pakistani men Abdullah and Imran Qureshi Warsi. India returned — via the Wagah border, the same route Hamid Nehal took — Imran Qureshi Warsi who came to India, fell in love with an Indian woman, married her, settled down here and started a family with her. Imran Warsi had come to India in 2004 — on a valid visa. He fell in love with his (to be) Indian wife a little after getting here. But he continued to stay on here after his visa expired. The police caught up with Imran in 2008, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Imran was lodged at Bhopal jail. Pakistani national Imran Qureshi Warsi who was lodged in Bhopal jail since 10 years for forging documents and spying returns to Pakistan from Attari-Wagah border. pic.twitter.com/77Y85JJxpY — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × Wagah-Attari border: Abdullah, a Pakistani national who crossed over in 2017, being released by the Indian authorities - I came to India through Attari in 2017. It was my childhood dream to come to India & meet Shah Rukh Khan. My dream was not fulfilled. I'll come back again. pic.twitter.com/1ar1c7hEDb — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × India released a second Pakistani national, Abdullah, on Wednesday. Abdullah said he had crossed over to India in 2017 to meet Shah Rukh Khan. "It was my childhood dream to come to India and meet Shah Rukh Khan," Abdullah said. "My dream was not fulfilled. I'll come back again." Imran's sentence ended in January but he remained in jail since he was unable to pay the accompanying fine. (The Pakistan high commission in Delhi did not help.) Unlike Hamid Nehal who said he was tortured in Pakistan — Hamid had crossed over into Pakistan from Afghanistan in 2012 to meet a girl he had befriended on Facebook; the Pakistanis thought he was a spy — Imran, 36, said he is all praise for the Indian police and grateful to the activists who brought his case to light. Imran's release comes as a ray of hope for 11 Indian prisoners who have completed their sentences but continue to languish in Pakistani jails. There are reportedly 32 such Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

Watch: After Hamid Nehal Ansari's return, India sends back Pakistani man with similar love story

WION Dispatch: Imran Khan posts anti-India tweet; invokes Jinnah to attack PM Modi

Former Pakistan prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-objects-to-back-to-jail-comments-of-pakistan-info-minister-173687">Nawaz Sharif, 68, was sentenced</a> to seven years in prison by a Pakistan court in a corruption case.

The PML(N) supremo was&nbsp;however&nbsp;acquitted in another case connected with corruption.

The anti-corruption court found the ex-prime minister guilty in the Al-Azizia graft case but acquitted in him the Flagship Investment case.

The accountability court had earlier indicted Sharif for holding assets beyond his known sources of income last year in August.

Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the National Accountability Bureau(NAB) last year in September, following a judgment by the Pakistan Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif.

Sharif's supporters said the former prime minister would appeal.

"Appeal is our right, we will protest but will remain peaceful," former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who succeeded Sharif last year, told reporters outside the courthouse in Islamabad.

Sharif was sentenced in July to 10 years in prison by the same court, on charges related to the purchase of upscale apartments in London, after the Supreme Court removed him from power. He was released in September pending an appeal.

Reacting to the development, Pakistan's information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the&nbsp; "real face of Nawaz Sharif has been unmasked today",

Chaudhry added that the PML(N) leader was unable to provide the&nbsp;money trail for his assets, therefore, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, 68, was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Pakistan court in a corruption case. The PML(N) supremo was however acquitted in another case connected with corruption.

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, 68, was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Pakistan court in a corruption case. The PML(N) supremo was however acquitted in another case connected with corruption. The anti-corruption court found the ex-prime minister guilty in the Al-Azizia graft case but acquitted in him the Flagship Investment case. The accountability court had earlier indicted Sharif for holding assets beyond his known sources of income last year in August. Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the National Accountability Bureau(NAB) last year in September, following a judgment by the Pakistan Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif. Sharif's supporters said the former prime minister would appeal. "Appeal is our right, we will protest but will remain peaceful," former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who succeeded Sharif last year, told reporters outside the courthouse in Islamabad. Sharif was sentenced in July to 10 years in prison by the same court, on charges related to the purchase of upscale apartments in London, after the Supreme Court removed him from power. He was released in September pending an appeal. Reacting to the development, Pakistan's information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the "real face of Nawaz Sharif has been unmasked today", Chaudhry added that the PML(N) leader was unable to provide the money trail for his assets, therefore, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Pak court convicts ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in corruption case; sentenced to 7 years in prison

Protests erupt in Pakistan after top court convicts Nawaz Sharif

Breaking News: Nawaz Sharif gets 7-year jail term in corruption case

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a> Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/harassment-of-indian-diplomats-returns-in-islamabad-185684">Imran Khan telephoned</a> UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. 
 
When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). 
 
Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. 
 
In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations.&nbsp; External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. 
 
The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. 
 
India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan PM Imran Khan raised Kashmir issue with UN chief, says UN spokesman

A Pakistani man, believed to be mentally unstable, climbed a cellphone tower in Islamabad on Saturday, demanding to be made the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hits-and-misses-in-review-over-100-days-of-imran-khan-as-pak-pm-185726">prime minister of the country</a>

The man, identified as Muhammad Abbas, climbed up the tower in Islamabad's Blue Area with a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan"> Pakistan</a> flag in his hand, prompting police and rescue agencies to reach the spot.&nbsp;

Police tried to bring him down, but the man maintained that he will only climb down if they promise to make him the prime minister or else the authorities should make arrangements for Prime Minister Imran Khan to talk to him.

Police and rescue agencies said he demanded: "premiership to pay off the country's loans and steer it out of the financial crisis".

When he refused to climb down despite negotiations and assurances from police, authorities asked a mimicry artist, Shafaat Ali, to talk to him in Khan's voice.

He talked to the mimicry artist for about five minutes thinking he is talking to the PM himself and later climbed down.

Police have taken the man into custody and have moved him to the area police station.

A Pakistani man, believed to be mentally unstable, climbed a cellphone tower in Islamabad on Saturday, demanding to be made the prime minister of the country The man, identified as Muhammad Abbas, climbed up the tower in Islamabad's Blue Area with a Pakistan flag in his hand, prompting police and rescue agencies to reach the spot.

A Pakistani man, believed to be mentally unstable, climbed a cellphone tower in Islamabad on Saturday, demanding to be made the prime minister of the country The man, identified as Muhammad Abbas, climbed up the tower in Islamabad's Blue Area with a Pakistan flag in his hand, prompting police and rescue agencies to reach the spot. Police tried to bring him down, but the man maintained that he will only climb down if they promise to make him the prime minister or else the authorities should make arrangements for Prime Minister Imran Khan to talk to him. Police and rescue agencies said he demanded: "premiership to pay off the country's loans and steer it out of the financial crisis". When he refused to climb down despite negotiations and assurances from police, authorities asked a mimicry artist, Shafaat Ali, to talk to him in Khan's voice. He talked to the mimicry artist for about five minutes thinking he is talking to the PM himself and later climbed down. Police have taken the man into custody and have moved him to the area police station.

Man climbs cellphone tower in Pakistan, demands premiership

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-troops-withdrawal-will-not-have-security-impact-on-afghanistan-presidential-spokesman-185677">US troops withdrawal 'will not have security impact' on Afghanistan: Presidential spokesman</a>

In the first official response, Afghanistan has stated that the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country will not affect its security, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri was quoted by news agency AFP on Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/markets-end-in-red-as-sensex-plunges-nearly-700-points-185672">Sensex plunges nearly 700 points amid fears of US government shutdown</a>

Benchmark equity indices witnessed heavy selloff Friday after investors booked profits in realty, banking, IT and auto bluechips amid weak signals from global markets.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uae-to-deposit-3-billion-in-pakistan-central-bank-185664">UAE to deposit $3 billion in Pakistan central bank</a>

The United Arab Emirates will deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a balance of payments crisis, state media said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/order-to-monitor-computers-exists-since-2009-arun-jaitley-185675">Order to monitor computers exists since 2009: Arun Jaitley</a>

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday Jaitley on Friday responded to Congress leader Anand Sharma's remark over Home Affairs Ministry's move to allow ten agencies to monitor any computer.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-army-pauses-operations-in-north-in-rare-conciliatory-action-185678">Myanmar army pauses operations in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-army-pauses-operations-in-north-in-rare-conciliatory-action-185678">north</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-army-pauses-operations-in-north-in-rare-conciliatory-action-185678"> in rare conciliatory action</a>

The Myanmar military on Friday announced a more than four-month cessation of its activities in northern areas where it is fighting ethnic minority insurgents, in what appeared to be a rare conciliatory move aimed at kick-starting peace talks.

US troops withdrawal 'will not have security impact' on Afghanistan: Presidential spokesman In the first official response, Afghanistan has stated that the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country will not affect its security, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri was quoted by news agency AFP on Friday.

US troops withdrawal 'will not have security impact' on Afghanistan: Presidential spokesman In the first official response, Afghanistan has stated that the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country will not affect its security, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri was quoted by news agency AFP on Friday. Sensex plunges nearly 700 points amid fears of US government shutdown Benchmark equity indices witnessed heavy selloff Friday after investors booked profits in realty, banking, IT and auto bluechips amid weak signals from global markets. UAE to deposit $3 billion in Pakistan central bank The United Arab Emirates will deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a balance of payments crisis, state media said. Order to monitor computers exists since 2009: Arun Jaitley Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday Jaitley on Friday responded to Congress leader Anand Sharma's remark over Home Affairs Ministry's move to allow ten agencies to monitor any computer. Myanmar army pauses operations in north in rare conciliatory action The Myanmar military on Friday announced a more than four-month cessation of its activities in northern areas where it is fighting ethnic minority insurgents, in what appeared to be a rare conciliatory move aimed at kick-starting peace talks.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United Arab Emirates will deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a balance of payments crisis, state media said.

The transfer of 11 billion dirhams by the government-owned Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is expected to be carried out in the "coming days", the WAM news agency said.

Quoting a statement from the ADFD, the state news agency said the amount is meant "to support the financial and monetary policy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan".

It will "enhance liquidity and monetary reserves of foreign currency" at the central bank, it added.

Pakistan is facing a widening balance of payments crisis. The rupee plunged almost five per cent to a record low at the end of November, after what appeared to be a sixth devaluation by the central bank in the past year.

A team from the International Monetary Fund in November visited Pakistan for talks with officials on a possible IMF bailout but the discussions ended without any agreement.

Pakistan -- a regular borrower from the IMF since the 1980s -- last received an IMF bailout in 2013 to the tune of $6.6 billion.

It also secured $6 billion in funding from Saudi Arabia and struck a 12-month deal for a cash lifeline during Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the kingdom in October.

Islamabad also received billions of dollars in Chinese loans to finance ambitious infrastructure projects.

The United Arab Emirates will deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a balance of payments crisis, state media said.

The United Arab Emirates will deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a balance of payments crisis, state media said. The transfer of 11 billion dirhams by the government-owned Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is expected to be carried out in the "coming days", the WAM news agency said. Quoting a statement from the ADFD, the state news agency said the amount is meant "to support the financial and monetary policy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan". It will "enhance liquidity and monetary reserves of foreign currency" at the central bank, it added. Pakistan is facing a widening balance of payments crisis. The rupee plunged almost five per cent to a record low at the end of November, after what appeared to be a sixth devaluation by the central bank in the past year. A team from the International Monetary Fund in November visited Pakistan for talks with officials on a possible IMF bailout but the discussions ended without any agreement. Pakistan -- a regular borrower from the IMF since the 1980s -- last received an IMF bailout in 2013 to the tune of $6.6 billion. It also secured $6 billion in funding from Saudi Arabia and struck a 12-month deal for a cash lifeline during Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the kingdom in October. Islamabad also received billions of dollars in Chinese loans to finance ambitious infrastructure projects.

UAE to deposit $3 billion in Pakistan central bank

By Kamal Munir

Reluctantly seeking an IMF bailout for its balance-of-payments crisis, Imran Khan’s nascent government in Pakistan has already devalued its currency, hiked utility rates and imposed new taxes in an effort to be “ready” for IMF reforms. As if these measures were not enough to make the government sufficiently unpopular, it now faces demands to immediately privatise large loss-making state-owned enterprises.

For a few reasons, the government has so far been reluctant to sell these off. Two reasons stand out in particular. First, selling of these state-owned enterprises is likely to generate significant unemployment. Politically speaking, this would be a highly unpopular move, as Khan’s new government promised to create millions of jobs within five years. Second, given the outstanding debts of Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises, there will be few takers unless the government clears up the balance sheets first.

Whichever course the government takes, it would be foolish to ignore the lessons from Pakistan’s troubled history of previous privatisations – three spring to mind.

Telecoms and homegrown talent

First, do not sell a state-owned enterprise because you are getting a good price. The 2005 privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication (PTCL), the national telecoms operator, is illustrative in this regard.

After painting the highly profitable corporation as an inefficient, incompetent, out-of-date behemoth, the government sold off a 26 per cent stake (along with full management control) to Dubai-based Etisalat for $2.6 billion. Yet at the time of its privatisation, PTCL was technologically one of the strongest telecoms players in South Asia with a number of technology firsts in the region. Financially, the company had just posted annual revenues of $1.4 billion with a net profit of $452m.

Within four years of its privatisation, thanks to the incoming, highly inexperienced management, the company’s market value had declined by 75 per cent – resulting in a loss of around $3 billion for the Pakistan government (the majority shareholder). On top of that, Etisalat today still owes the government more than $800m (from the acquisition price), which would be twice the value now. Ironically, rather than recovering this amount, the government is now asking for loans from the UAE.

PTCL’s privatisation not only destroyed a treasure trove of technological capabilities that the enterprise had nurtured over decades, but it also deprived Pakistan of a chance to turn a national champion into a regional, South Asian one.

Energy sector and competition

The privatisation of Pakistan’s energy sector has single-handedly crippled the entire economy. It illustrates the importance of ensuring the new entity competes fairly to earn a profit.

From 1994 onwards, investors were invited to set up power plants in exchange for a guaranteed US dollar-based internal rate of return of 15–18 per cent. This was further backed by sovereign guarantees from the government of Pakistan (which meant an extremely high return with zero risk and zero competition).

The plants were reimbursed for all the fixed costs of the power plant including debt servicing and handed the highly lucrative equity return on top. These payments were to be made irrespective of whether or not the independent power producer was asked to produce electricity. Plus, the investors were reimbursed for all variable costs of production, regardless of the type of fuel used and its market price.

The privatisation landed Pakistan in a vicious debt cycle. Energy prices have only gone up, which is unsurprising given the independent power producers face no competition. The state has been unable to keep up with the exorbitant bills it is presented with by investors and has had to start borrowing in international and domestic markets to honour the contracts. As well as racking up huge debts, Pakistan has suffered from severe and prolonged power outages.

Banks and profitability

The third lesson comes from the privatisation of Pakistan’s banks. They became more profitable after privatisation in the early 2000s. But a closer look at their performance once privatised shows that much of this profitability came from lending to the government. Lending to the private sector actually declined. This shows the importance of not privatising when a state-owned enterprise can do the same job more cheaply.

There is little point having private banks if all they do is lend to the government, which could easily own those banks and lend to itself without having to factor in an equity return. The allocation of credit to different sectors of the economy did not improve either. Manufacturing, agriculture, and small businesses – the sectors which were supposed to benefit from privatisation – continued to be deprived of credit.

But, consistent with the general history of privatisation in Pakistan, banking privatisation was great for the new owners. Many got bargain basement deals – while doing little for the cause of national economic development.

Above all, the government should realise that in the absence of broader national development policy, privatisations are not going to yield the desired benefits. Before contemplating any sell-off, the government needs to first figure out the roles it needs various institutions to play and devise appropriate regulatory and monitoring frameworks.

Goals such as maximising the value of an enterprise before its sale or enhancing its profitability should be supplanted by aims that are in line with a larger development plan. In order to avoid the mistakes of previous governments, longer-term goals must be prioritised.

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/pakistans-privatisation-dilemma-as-it-seeks-imf-bailout-109092">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Kamal Munir Reluctantly seeking an IMF bailout for its balance-of-payments crisis, Imran Khan’s nascent government in Pakistan has already devalued its currency, hiked utility rates and imposed new taxes in an effort to be “ready” for IMF reforms.

By Kamal Munir Reluctantly seeking an IMF bailout for its balance-of-payments crisis, Imran Khan’s nascent government in Pakistan has already devalued its currency, hiked utility rates and imposed new taxes in an effort to be “ready” for IMF reforms. As if these measures were not enough to make the government sufficiently unpopular, it now faces demands to immediately privatise large loss-making state-owned enterprises. For a few reasons, the government has so far been reluctant to sell these off. Two reasons stand out in particular. First, selling of these state-owned enterprises is likely to generate significant unemployment. Politically speaking, this would be a highly unpopular move, as Khan’s new government promised to create millions of jobs within five years. Second, given the outstanding debts of Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises, there will be few takers unless the government clears up the balance sheets first. Whichever course the government takes, it would be foolish to ignore the lessons from Pakistan’s troubled history of previous privatisations – three spring to mind. Telecoms and homegrown talent First, do not sell a state-owned enterprise because you are getting a good price. The 2005 privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication (PTCL), the national telecoms operator, is illustrative in this regard. After painting the highly profitable corporation as an inefficient, incompetent, out-of-date behemoth, the government sold off a 26 per cent stake (along with full management control) to Dubai-based Etisalat for $2.6 billion. Yet at the time of its privatisation, PTCL was technologically one of the strongest telecoms players in South Asia with a number of technology firsts in the region. Financially, the company had just posted annual revenues of $1.4 billion with a net profit of $452m. Within four years of its privatisation, thanks to the incoming, highly inexperienced management, the company’s market value had declined by 75 per cent – resulting in a loss of around $3 billion for the Pakistan government (the majority shareholder). On top of that, Etisalat today still owes the government more than $800m (from the acquisition price), which would be twice the value now. Ironically, rather than recovering this amount, the government is now asking for loans from the UAE. PTCL’s privatisation not only destroyed a treasure trove of technological capabilities that the enterprise had nurtured over decades, but it also deprived Pakistan of a chance to turn a national champion into a regional, South Asian one. Energy sector and competition The privatisation of Pakistan’s energy sector has single-handedly crippled the entire economy. It illustrates the importance of ensuring the new entity competes fairly to earn a profit. From 1994 onwards, investors were invited to set up power plants in exchange for a guaranteed US dollar-based internal rate of return of 15–18 per cent. This was further backed by sovereign guarantees from the government of Pakistan (which meant an extremely high return with zero risk and zero competition). The plants were reimbursed for all the fixed costs of the power plant including debt servicing and handed the highly lucrative equity return on top. These payments were to be made irrespective of whether or not the independent power producer was asked to produce electricity. Plus, the investors were reimbursed for all variable costs of production, regardless of the type of fuel used and its market price. The privatisation landed Pakistan in a vicious debt cycle. Energy prices have only gone up, which is unsurprising given the independent power producers face no competition. The state has been unable to keep up with the exorbitant bills it is presented with by investors and has had to start borrowing in international and domestic markets to honour the contracts. As well as racking up huge debts, Pakistan has suffered from severe and prolonged power outages. Banks and profitability The third lesson comes from the privatisation of Pakistan’s banks. They became more profitable after privatisation in the early 2000s. But a closer look at their performance once privatised shows that much of this profitability came from lending to the government. Lending to the private sector actually declined. This shows the importance of not privatising when a state-owned enterprise can do the same job more cheaply. There is little point having private banks if all they do is lend to the government, which could easily own those banks and lend to itself without having to factor in an equity return. The allocation of credit to different sectors of the economy did not improve either. Manufacturing, agriculture, and small businesses – the sectors which were supposed to benefit from privatisation – continued to be deprived of credit. But, consistent with the general history of privatisation in Pakistan, banking privatisation was great for the new owners. Many got bargain basement deals – while doing little for the cause of national economic development. Above all, the government should realise that in the absence of broader national development policy, privatisations are not going to yield the desired benefits. Before contemplating any sell-off, the government needs to first figure out the roles it needs various institutions to play and devise appropriate regulatory and monitoring frameworks. Goals such as maximising the value of an enterprise before its sale or enhancing its profitability should be supplanted by aims that are in line with a larger development plan. In order to avoid the mistakes of previous governments, longer-term goals must be prioritised. (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pakistan’s privatisation dilemma as it seeks IMF bailout

Pakistan on Thursday issued the revised lists of goods, technologies and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons that needed official permission for exports.

The list was issued under the Export Control Act of 2004, which enables the government to control export, re-export, trans-shipment and transit of goods, technologies, material and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery systems, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"Pursuant to the export control on goods, technologies, material and equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery systems Act 2004, the Government of Pakistan has notified revised control lists of goods, technologies, material and equipment that are subject to SECDIV license for export,"&nbsp;the statement said.

The FO also said that as part of regular review process, the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revised and updated the control lists, in consultation with other relevant ministries and departments.

The lists were originally notified in 2005 and subsequently revised in 2011, 2015 and 2016.

The FO said the revised control lists were harmonised with the standards and lists of international export control regimes ie The Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regimes and the Australia Group.

It incorporates the latest changes and updates made by these export control regimes.

The notification signifies the continuing resolve and policy of Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state to advance the shared goals of non-proliferation and strictly adhere to its commitments, the FO said.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Thursday issued the revised lists of goods, technologies and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons that needed official permission for exports.

Pakistan on Thursday issued the revised lists of goods, technologies and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons that needed official permission for exports. The list was issued under the Export Control Act of 2004, which enables the government to control export, re-export, trans-shipment and transit of goods, technologies, material and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery systems, the Foreign Office said in a statement. "Pursuant to the export control on goods, technologies, material and equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery systems Act 2004, the Government of Pakistan has notified revised control lists of goods, technologies, material and equipment that are subject to SECDIV license for export," the statement said. The FO also said that as part of regular review process, the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revised and updated the control lists, in consultation with other relevant ministries and departments. The lists were originally notified in 2005 and subsequently revised in 2011, 2015 and 2016. The FO said the revised control lists were harmonised with the standards and lists of international export control regimes ie The Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regimes and the Australia Group. It incorporates the latest changes and updates made by these export control regimes. The notification signifies the continuing resolve and policy of Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state to advance the shared goals of non-proliferation and strictly adhere to its commitments, the FO said.

Pakistan issues export control list of goods, technologies related to nuclear, biological weapons

A lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed a plea before the Election Commission, seeking disqualification of former president Asif Ali Zardari for allegedly concealing his assets in the nomination papers filed for elections in July 2018.&nbsp;

The plea filed by PTI lawmaker from Sindh Khurram Sherzaman said that Zardari owned an apartment in Belaire Condominiums in New York but did not declare it in his nomination papers filed for the 2018 general elections.

Zardari was elected as a member of the National Assembly from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is in power in Sindh province.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;"Asif Ali Zardari under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan should be disqualified from holding public office under Article 62 (1)(f), as in my opinion he ceases to be truthful and sagacious,"&nbsp;the PTI lawmaker wrote in the application.

The application to disqualify Zardari was filed a day after Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that government will move against the former president for allegedly hiding foreign assets.

A lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed a plea before the Election Commission, seeking disqualification of former president Asif Ali Zardari for allegedly concealing his assets in the nomination papers filed for elections in July 2018.

A lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed a plea before the Election Commission, seeking disqualification of former president Asif Ali Zardari for allegedly concealing his assets in the nomination papers filed for elections in July 2018. The plea filed by PTI lawmaker from Sindh Khurram Sherzaman said that Zardari owned an apartment in Belaire Condominiums in New York but did not declare it in his nomination papers filed for the 2018 general elections. Zardari was elected as a member of the National Assembly from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is in power in Sindh province. "Asif Ali Zardari under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan should be disqualified from holding public office under Article 62 (1)(f), as in my opinion he ceases to be truthful and sagacious," the PTI lawmaker wrote in the application. The application to disqualify Zardari was filed a day after Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that government will move against the former president for allegedly hiding foreign assets.

Disqualification plea against Zardari for 'concealing' assets in nomination papers

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