Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight against terrorism and the Trump administration expects Islamabad to act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba in same way as it did against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, a top American official has said.

State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Alexander Sales said during a Congressional hearing that the US was "very concerned" over the support for terrorism in any region of the world.

"And I can tell you we have communicated to the Pakistani government at the highest levels that we expect them to do more just like we expected them to act with us after 9/11," Sales said on Wednesday.

"Pakistan has in the past been a very effective counterpart in taking the fight to al-Qaeda. We need them to do the same thing with respect to the Haqqanis, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the other terrorist groups that are active in the region," he said.

Sales said Pakistan "certainly needs to do more" in the fight against terrorism.

His remarks came after several Congressmen expressed concern over the continued resistance by Pakistan to take satisfactory action against terror groups operating from its soil.

The lawmakers alleged that Pakistan was not doing enough against the terror groups.

"I think they're not doing the job, despite terrorism, because the terrorists come in from Pakistan into Afghanistan, do their mischief, and run back across the border. I think they've been doing that for years," said Congressman Ted Poe, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

"They take our money, Million of dollars we give Pakistan every year. It befuddles me why we do that when they don't... And they allow a safe haven for terrorists in their own country that invade another country, namely Afghanistan," Poe alleged.

He, however, praised the State Department for not giving Pakistan funds for counterterrorism.

The State Department's Inspector General filed a report last year that found much of the antiterrorism assistance US had given to Pakistan was not being used, including dozens of courses not implemented.

"I am pleased to hear the Bureau has since repurposed many of the resources that had been sent to Pakistan to other more worthwhile programs. We cannot afford to throw good money after bad. Effective monitoring and evaluation programs are crucial to spotting what is not working and making changes that do," he said.

In his first tweet of the year, US President Donald Trump had expressed his dissatisfaction over Pakistan's reluctance in taking strong action against terrorists.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump tweeted.

He had ordered to stop all security financial assistance to Pakistan.

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight against terrorism and the Trump administration expects Islamabad to act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba in same way as it did against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, a top American official has said.

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight against terrorism and the Trump administration expects Islamabad to act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba in same way as it did against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, a top American official has said. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Alexander Sales said during a Congressional hearing that the US was "very concerned" over the support for terrorism in any region of the world. "And I can tell you we have communicated to the Pakistani government at the highest levels that we expect them to do more just like we expected them to act with us after 9/11," Sales said on Wednesday. "Pakistan has in the past been a very effective counterpart in taking the fight to al-Qaeda. We need them to do the same thing with respect to the Haqqanis, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the other terrorist groups that are active in the region," he said. Sales said Pakistan "certainly needs to do more" in the fight against terrorism. His remarks came after several Congressmen expressed concern over the continued resistance by Pakistan to take satisfactory action against terror groups operating from its soil. The lawmakers alleged that Pakistan was not doing enough against the terror groups. "I think they're not doing the job, despite terrorism, because the terrorists come in from Pakistan into Afghanistan, do their mischief, and run back across the border. I think they've been doing that for years," said Congressman Ted Poe, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. "They take our money, Million of dollars we give Pakistan every year. It befuddles me why we do that when they don't... And they allow a safe haven for terrorists in their own country that invade another country, namely Afghanistan," Poe alleged. He, however, praised the State Department for not giving Pakistan funds for counterterrorism. The State Department's Inspector General filed a report last year that found much of the antiterrorism assistance US had given to Pakistan was not being used, including dozens of courses not implemented. "I am pleased to hear the Bureau has since repurposed many of the resources that had been sent to Pakistan to other more worthwhile programs. We cannot afford to throw good money after bad. Effective monitoring and evaluation programs are crucial to spotting what is not working and making changes that do," he said. In his first tweet of the year, US President Donald Trump had expressed his dissatisfaction over Pakistan's reluctance in taking strong action against terrorists. "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump tweeted. He had ordered to stop all security financial assistance to Pakistan.

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight terrorism : US

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the death of a senior police officer who disappeared from Islamabad last month and whose body was found in Afghanistan.

The body of Tahir Dawar, a superintendent of police in the northwestern city of Peshawar, was recovered on Tuesday in the Afghan province of Nangarhar, nearly three weeks after he went missing.

Khan said he had ordered authorities to carry out "an inquiry immediately".

Pakistan's foreign office said it had twice summoned the Afghan Charge d'Affaires to "seek clarity". Afghan officials were not immediately available for comment.

"His abduction, move to (Afghanistan), murder and follow up behaviour of (Afghan) authorities raise questions which indicate involvement or resources more than a terrorist organisation," military spokesman Major General Asif Ghrafoor said on Twitter.

It was not immediately clear how he knew Dawar had been adducted and murdered.

The governor’s office in Nangarhar said it had delivered the body to tribal elders near the Pakistani border.

Rights activists have questioned how Dawar, who was visiting family in Islamabad from Peshawar on October 26, came to be in Afghanistan.

"The police cannot tell us anything and the entire state is silent about the investigation," parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar (no relation) told Reuters.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the death of a senior police officer who disappeared from Islamabad last month and whose body was found in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the death of a senior police officer who disappeared from Islamabad last month and whose body was found in Afghanistan. The body of Tahir Dawar, a superintendent of police in the northwestern city of Peshawar, was recovered on Tuesday in the Afghan province of Nangarhar, nearly three weeks after he went missing. Khan said he had ordered authorities to carry out "an inquiry immediately". Pakistan's foreign office said it had twice summoned the Afghan Charge d'Affaires to "seek clarity". Afghan officials were not immediately available for comment. "His abduction, move to (Afghanistan), murder and follow up behaviour of (Afghan) authorities raise questions which indicate involvement or resources more than a terrorist organisation," military spokesman Major General Asif Ghrafoor said on Twitter. It was not immediately clear how he knew Dawar had been adducted and murdered. The governor’s office in Nangarhar said it had delivered the body to tribal elders near the Pakistani border. Rights activists have questioned how Dawar, who was visiting family in Islamabad from Peshawar on October 26, came to be in Afghanistan. "The police cannot tell us anything and the entire state is silent about the investigation," parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar (no relation) told Reuters.

Pakistan PM orders probe after policeman found dead in Afghanistan

Pakistan is failing to educate a huge proportion of the country's girls due to shortage of government schools, under-investment in schools, as well as gender discrimination and child marriage, Human Rights Watch, said in a report.&nbsp;

The 111-page report, 'Shall I Feed My Daughter, or Educate Her?': Barriers to Girls' Education in Pakistan,' said that many girls have no access to education.

Nearly 22.5 million of Pakistan's children in a country with a population of just over 200 million are out of school, the majority of them girls. Thirty-two per cent of primary school age girls are out of school in Pakistan, compared with 21 per cent of boys. By ninth grade, only 13 per cent of girls are still in school.&nbsp;

"The Pakistan government's failure to educate children is having a devastating impact on millions of girls," women's rights director at Human Rights Watch Liesl Gerntholtz said adding that many of the girls are desperate to study, but instead are growing up without the education that would help them have options for their future.&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch interviewed 209 people for the report most of them with girls who never attended school or were unable to complete their education, and their families in all four of Pakistan's provinces: Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. Human Rights Watch also interviewed parents, educators, experts, and activists, and visited schools.&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch said factors keeping girls out of school include the government's under-investment in schools, lack of schools, prohibitive school fees and related costs, corporal punishment, and a failure to enforce compulsory education. Poor quality within both government and low-cost private schools, a lack of government regulation of private schools, and corruption also add to the reasons girls are forced to stay out of school.&nbsp;

In addition to these factors within the education system, girls are also blocked from attending school by external factors including child labour, gender discrimination, child marriage, sexual harassment, insecurity, and attacks on education.&nbsp;

The Pakistan government has consistently invested far less in education than is recommended by international standards. As of 2017, Pakistan was spending less than 2.8 per cent of its gross domestic product on education far below the recommended four to six per cent leaving the government's education system severely under-funded. Government schools are in such short supply that even in Pakistan's major cities, many children cannot reach a school on foot safely in a reasonable amount of time.&nbsp;

The situation is far worse in rural areas and there are many more schools for boys than for girls, the rights group said.&nbsp;

"Even parents who are not educated themselves understand that their daughters' future depends on them going to school, but the government is abandoning these families," Gerntholtz said.&nbsp;

Pakistan is failing to educate a huge proportion of the country's girls due to shortage of government schools, under-investment in schools, as well as gender discrimination and child marriage, Human Rights Watch, said in a report.

Pakistan is failing to educate a huge proportion of the country's girls due to shortage of government schools, under-investment in schools, as well as gender discrimination and child marriage, Human Rights Watch, said in a report. The 111-page report, 'Shall I Feed My Daughter, or Educate Her?': Barriers to Girls' Education in Pakistan,' said that many girls have no access to education. Nearly 22.5 million of Pakistan's children in a country with a population of just over 200 million are out of school, the majority of them girls. Thirty-two per cent of primary school age girls are out of school in Pakistan, compared with 21 per cent of boys. By ninth grade, only 13 per cent of girls are still in school. "The Pakistan government's failure to educate children is having a devastating impact on millions of girls," women's rights director at Human Rights Watch Liesl Gerntholtz said adding that many of the girls are desperate to study, but instead are growing up without the education that would help them have options for their future. Human Rights Watch interviewed 209 people for the report most of them with girls who never attended school or were unable to complete their education, and their families in all four of Pakistan's provinces: Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. Human Rights Watch also interviewed parents, educators, experts, and activists, and visited schools. Human Rights Watch said factors keeping girls out of school include the government's under-investment in schools, lack of schools, prohibitive school fees and related costs, corporal punishment, and a failure to enforce compulsory education. Poor quality within both government and low-cost private schools, a lack of government regulation of private schools, and corruption also add to the reasons girls are forced to stay out of school. In addition to these factors within the education system, girls are also blocked from attending school by external factors including child labour, gender discrimination, child marriage, sexual harassment, insecurity, and attacks on education. The Pakistan government has consistently invested far less in education than is recommended by international standards. As of 2017, Pakistan was spending less than 2.8 per cent of its gross domestic product on education far below the recommended four to six per cent leaving the government's education system severely under-funded. Government schools are in such short supply that even in Pakistan's major cities, many children cannot reach a school on foot safely in a reasonable amount of time. The situation is far worse in rural areas and there are many more schools for boys than for girls, the rights group said. "Even parents who are not educated themselves understand that their daughters' future depends on them going to school, but the government is abandoning these families," Gerntholtz said.

Pakistan failing to educate girls due to shortage of government schools: Human Rights Watch

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday talks are underway with the Pakistani government over a Pakistani Christian woman whose acquittal on blasphemy charges against Islam last month sparked mass protests in the South Asian country.

Asia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row in Pakistan before being released, is in protective custody because her life is in danger from those who disagree with the acquittal. Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, has appealed for help to Britain, Canada, Italy and the United States.&nbsp;

"We are in discussions with the Pakistani government," Trudeau said in an interview with Agence France Presse in Paris, where he attended a ceremony marking the end of World War One. His comments were confirmed by a spokesman in Ottawa.

"There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don't want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country," he added.

While AFP said the discussions were about potentially offering Bibi and her family asylum, this was not confirmed by the spokesman in Ottawa.

Islamists have threatened to escalate protests in Pakistan if Bibi is permitted to leave the country. The government has indicated it will bar her from travelling abroad.

Last week, Canada urged Pakistan to ensure Bibi's well-being and Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government was "extremely engaged in this issue".

Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 after neighbours said she made derogatory remarks about Islam when they objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. She is a Protestant and denies committing blasphemy.

Islamists shut down roads in major cities in Pakistan during three days of demonstrations against Bibi's acquittal at the end of last month.

Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to the Netherlands earlier this week because of fears for the safety of his family.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday talks are underway with the Pakistani government over a Pakistani Christian woman whose acquittal on blasphemy charges against Islam last month sparked mass protests in the South Asian country.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday talks are underway with the Pakistani government over a Pakistani Christian woman whose acquittal on blasphemy charges against Islam last month sparked mass protests in the South Asian country. Asia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row in Pakistan before being released, is in protective custody because her life is in danger from those who disagree with the acquittal. Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, has appealed for help to Britain, Canada, Italy and the United States. "We are in discussions with the Pakistani government," Trudeau said in an interview with Agence France Presse in Paris, where he attended a ceremony marking the end of World War One. His comments were confirmed by a spokesman in Ottawa. "There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don't want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country," he added. While AFP said the discussions were about potentially offering Bibi and her family asylum, this was not confirmed by the spokesman in Ottawa. Islamists have threatened to escalate protests in Pakistan if Bibi is permitted to leave the country. The government has indicated it will bar her from travelling abroad. Last week, Canada urged Pakistan to ensure Bibi's well-being and Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government was "extremely engaged in this issue". Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 after neighbours said she made derogatory remarks about Islam when they objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. She is a Protestant and denies committing blasphemy. Islamists shut down roads in major cities in Pakistan during three days of demonstrations against Bibi's acquittal at the end of last month. Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to the Netherlands earlier this week because of fears for the safety of his family.

Canada in talks with Pakistan over Asia Bibi: Justin Trudeau

Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan cuts Diwali cake in Karachi; greets members of  Hindu community

The Netherlands resumed visa and passport services in Pakistan on Monday following a brief suspension, denying that its embassy had closed over security concerns after the country gave shelter to the lawyer of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case.

Hard-line Islamists in Pakistan have blocked streets and called for the killing of judges after the Supreme Court overturned on October&nbsp;31 the conviction of Asia Bibi, a mother of five, who had been on death row for eight years.

Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to the Netherlands soon after the verdict, citing death threats. The Dutch government said on Thursday that it had offered him temporary shelter.

On Friday the Dutch government said in a statement that its embassy in Pakistan, which is in a tightly guarded "diplomatic enclave", had temporarily halted issuing visas "due to circumstances beyond our control".

On Monday evening, the embassy updated the statement: "The Netherlands embassy in Pakistan has resumed all consular/visa related services."

Pakistani media reported that the embassy had been forced to close because of threats. But the Dutch Foreign Ministry said reports of the embassy's closure were mistaken.

"The Dutch embassy in Pakistan is open," the ministry said. "I can add that we take the security of the embassy and our employees very seriously. This is also the subject of consultations between the Netherlands and Pakistan," an official at the Dutch foreign office said.

No one answered the telephone at the Dutch embassy after office hours on Monday.

Bibi, 53, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 over allegations she made derogatory remarks about Islam, which is punishable by death in Pakistan. She always denied having committed blasphemy.

The militant Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) party, which has made blasphemy a rallying cry, took to the streets after the Supreme Court ruling and blocked main cities and highways for three days.

The protests ended after the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan struck a deal with the TLP that the state would not block a petition to review Bibi's acquittal in light of sharia Islamic religious law and ensure she wouldn't leave country until that was decided.

Pakistani government officials have said Bibi is in a secure location while the court considers her case.

The Netherlands resumed visa and passport services in Pakistan on Monday following a brief suspension, denying that its embassy had closed over security concerns after the country gave shelter to the lawyer of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case.

The Netherlands resumed visa and passport services in Pakistan on Monday following a brief suspension, denying that its embassy had closed over security concerns after the country gave shelter to the lawyer of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. Hard-line Islamists in Pakistan have blocked streets and called for the killing of judges after the Supreme Court overturned on October 31 the conviction of Asia Bibi, a mother of five, who had been on death row for eight years. Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to the Netherlands soon after the verdict, citing death threats. The Dutch government said on Thursday that it had offered him temporary shelter. On Friday the Dutch government said in a statement that its embassy in Pakistan, which is in a tightly guarded "diplomatic enclave", had temporarily halted issuing visas "due to circumstances beyond our control". On Monday evening, the embassy updated the statement: "The Netherlands embassy in Pakistan has resumed all consular/visa related services." Pakistani media reported that the embassy had been forced to close because of threats. But the Dutch Foreign Ministry said reports of the embassy's closure were mistaken. "The Dutch embassy in Pakistan is open," the ministry said. "I can add that we take the security of the embassy and our employees very seriously. This is also the subject of consultations between the Netherlands and Pakistan," an official at the Dutch foreign office said. No one answered the telephone at the Dutch embassy after office hours on Monday. Bibi, 53, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 over allegations she made derogatory remarks about Islam, which is punishable by death in Pakistan. She always denied having committed blasphemy. The militant Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) party, which has made blasphemy a rallying cry, took to the streets after the Supreme Court ruling and blocked main cities and highways for three days. The protests ended after the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan struck a deal with the TLP that the state would not block a petition to review Bibi's acquittal in light of sharia Islamic religious law and ensure she wouldn't leave country until that was decided. Pakistani government officials have said Bibi is in a secure location while the court considers her case.

Netherlands resumes visa service in Pakistan after brief halt

Pakistan's former military dictator general (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Monday challenged an order of a special court to form a&nbsp;Commission to record his statement in the high treason case against him, according to a media report.

The 75-year-old former army chief, who currently stays in Dubai, was indicted in the case in March 2014.

The special court on October 15 ordered that Musharraf's statement in the case would be recorded through a commission.&nbsp;

The former president challenged the order of the special court in the Islamabad High Court. In his petition, Musharraf stated that the formation of the commission by the special court to record the statement was alien to Pakistan's criminal procedure and unprecedented, Geo News reported.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had filed the treason case against Musharraf over the imposition of extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007.

On March 18, 2016, Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai for medical treatment.

A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show in the case.&nbsp;

Later, on the orders of the Supreme Court, Musharraf's passport and identity card were also cancelled since he failed to return to the country despite a last chance.

Pakistan's former military dictator general (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Monday challenged an order of a special court to form a Commission to record his statement in the high treason case against him, according to a media report.

Pakistan's former military dictator general (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Monday challenged an order of a special court to form a Commission to record his statement in the high treason case against him, according to a media report. The 75-year-old former army chief, who currently stays in Dubai, was indicted in the case in March 2014. The special court on October 15 ordered that Musharraf's statement in the case would be recorded through a commission. The former president challenged the order of the special court in the Islamabad High Court. In his petition, Musharraf stated that the formation of the commission by the special court to record the statement was alien to Pakistan's criminal procedure and unprecedented, Geo News reported. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had filed the treason case against Musharraf over the imposition of extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007. On March 18, 2016, Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai for medical treatment. A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show in the case. Later, on the orders of the Supreme Court, Musharraf's passport and identity card were also cancelled since he failed to return to the country despite a last chance.

Musharraf challenges court order to form commission to record his statement in treason case

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that his government was holding talks with Pakistan over potentially offering asylum to Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned.

"We are in discussions with the Pakistani government," Trudeau said in an interview with AFP in Paris, where he was attending a peace conference organised by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don't want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country," he said.

Bibi has been blocked from leaving Pakistan after the overturning of her conviction prompted a wave of protests among Islamist hard-liners.

She has since been flown to a "safe place" in the country as several governments have offered to grant her family asylum.

Her husband has appealed in particular to Britain, Canada and the United States, claiming that Bibi's life would be in danger as long as she lived in Pakistan.

Bibi's conviction stemmed from a 2009 incident when she was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields.

Muslim labourers objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim. A fight reportedly erupted, and a local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed.

Bibi has consistently denied the charges and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that his government was holding talks with Pakistan over potentially offering asylum to Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that his government was holding talks with Pakistan over potentially offering asylum to Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned. "We are in discussions with the Pakistani government," Trudeau said in an interview with AFP in Paris, where he was attending a peace conference organised by French President Emmanuel Macron. "There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don't want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country," he said. Bibi has been blocked from leaving Pakistan after the overturning of her conviction prompted a wave of protests among Islamist hard-liners. She has since been flown to a "safe place" in the country as several governments have offered to grant her family asylum. Her husband has appealed in particular to Britain, Canada and the United States, claiming that Bibi's life would be in danger as long as she lived in Pakistan. Bibi's conviction stemmed from a 2009 incident when she was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Muslim labourers objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim. A fight reportedly erupted, and a local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Bibi has consistently denied the charges and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures.

Canada in talks with Pakistan over possibly taking in Asia Bibi

The Pakistan government Monday rejected the reports claiming Aasia Bibi has fled abroad, saying the images on the social media showing the recently-acquitted Christian woman being greeted overseas are "fake".

Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was release from Multan jail last week after the Supreme Court in its landmark decision acquitted her of blasphemy charges.

She was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. Bibi always maintained her innocence, but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.

"Fake news is a big challenge. Aasia Bibi is in Pakistan and images of her leaving the country and greeted abroad are fake," Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told PTI.

He said some media outlets showed irresponsibility by reporting that Bibi had left the country after her release from the jail.

Chaudhry said the government was considering to introduce a law to regulate the social media.

"There is a need to check the unchecked social media and bring it within the ambit of law," he said, adding that fake news and fake notifications come up from fake accounts on social media on almost daily basis and needed to be checked.

Bibi's acquittal sparked violent protests from radical Islamists across Pakistan.

The Imran Khan-led government had agreed to their demand to stop her from leaving Pakistan and extend its help to place her name on no-fly list.

The BBC Urdu's report that she had been taken to another country created a lot of confusion and the Foreign Office had to issue a clarification that Bibi was in the country.

Earlier, Bibi's husband had appealed to US President Donald Trump and premiers of the UK and Canada to help her and other family members leave Pakistan as their lives were in danger. Italy had offered asylum to Bibi.

Reacting to the uproar over Aasia's acquittal, Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) said it had "some reservations over the

Aasia Bibi acquittal" but respects the national institutions including the judiciary.

The Pakistan government Monday rejected the reports claiming Aasia Bibi has fled abroad, saying the images on the social media showing the recently-acquitted Christian woman being greeted overseas are "fake".

The Pakistan government Monday rejected the reports claiming Aasia Bibi has fled abroad, saying the images on the social media showing the recently-acquitted Christian woman being greeted overseas are "fake". Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was release from Multan jail last week after the Supreme Court in its landmark decision acquitted her of blasphemy charges. She was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. Bibi always maintained her innocence, but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. "Fake news is a big challenge. Aasia Bibi is in Pakistan and images of her leaving the country and greeted abroad are fake," Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told PTI. He said some media outlets showed irresponsibility by reporting that Bibi had left the country after her release from the jail. Chaudhry said the government was considering to introduce a law to regulate the social media. "There is a need to check the unchecked social media and bring it within the ambit of law," he said, adding that fake news and fake notifications come up from fake accounts on social media on almost daily basis and needed to be checked. Bibi's acquittal sparked violent protests from radical Islamists across Pakistan. The Imran Khan-led government had agreed to their demand to stop her from leaving Pakistan and extend its help to place her name on no-fly list. The BBC Urdu's report that she had been taken to another country created a lot of confusion and the Foreign Office had to issue a clarification that Bibi was in the country. Earlier, Bibi's husband had appealed to US President Donald Trump and premiers of the UK and Canada to help her and other family members leave Pakistan as their lives were in danger. Italy had offered asylum to Bibi. Reacting to the uproar over Aasia's acquittal, Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) said it had "some reservations over the Aasia Bibi acquittal" but respects the national institutions including the judiciary.

Reports of Asia leaving Pakistan 'fake': Minister

Iranian border guards killed two Pakistani men and injured four others after they tried to enter the Iranian territory through an illegal route in Panjgur district of the restive Baluchistan province.&nbsp;

Baluchistan Levies Force officials said a group of seven persons in a van were trying to cross the Pakistan-Iran border without legal documents in Prom area when the Iranian border guards opened fire at them.

Only the driver of the van remained unhurt, they said, adding that the persons belonged to Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa provinces.&nbsp;

Iranian border guards killed two Pakistani men and injured four others after they tried to enter the Iranian territory through an illegal route in Panjgur district of the restive Baluchistan province.

Iranian border guards killed two Pakistani men and injured four others after they tried to enter the Iranian territory through an illegal route in Panjgur district of the restive Baluchistan province. Baluchistan Levies Force officials said a group of seven persons in a van were trying to cross the Pakistan-Iran border without legal documents in Prom area when the Iranian border guards opened fire at them. Only the driver of the van remained unhurt, they said, adding that the persons belonged to Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa provinces.

Iranian border guards kill two, injure four Pakistanis for crossing territory illegally

There is a need to come out of the "environment of violence" to move forward in relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian envoy here said on Sunday.

High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria said it was the Indian High Commission's effort to take steps to improve relations with Pakistan.

"There is a new government in Pakistan and we would like to talk to it and move forward. We need to come out of the environment of violence and move ahead in our relations," Bisaria said here during his visit to Lahore's famous Liberty Market where he came for shopping.

"Both countries have moved forward in some matters. The people of both countries love each other. It will be our utmost effort to move forward in relations between the two countries," he said.

The Indian envoy further said there is potential of $37 billion in direct trade between Pakistan and India.

"At present, there is trade of $2 billion between the two countries. We need to take steps to have direct trade between us," he said.

"This is my third visit to Lahore. I have come here on the wishes of my wife who wants to buy a famous pair of 'chappals' (footwear) from Lahore. I feel good in Lahore as it has a special culture," he said.

There is a need to come out of the "environment of violence" to move forward in relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian envoy here said on Sunday. High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria said it was the Indian High Commission's effort to take steps to improve relations with Pakistan.

There is a need to come out of the "environment of violence" to move forward in relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian envoy here said on Sunday. High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria said it was the Indian High Commission's effort to take steps to improve relations with Pakistan. "There is a new government in Pakistan and we would like to talk to it and move forward. We need to come out of the environment of violence and move ahead in our relations," Bisaria said here during his visit to Lahore's famous Liberty Market where he came for shopping. "Both countries have moved forward in some matters. The people of both countries love each other. It will be our utmost effort to move forward in relations between the two countries," he said. The Indian envoy further said there is potential of $37 billion in direct trade between Pakistan and India. "At present, there is trade of $2 billion between the two countries. We need to take steps to have direct trade between us," he said. "This is my third visit to Lahore. I have come here on the wishes of my wife who wants to buy a famous pair of 'chappals' (footwear) from Lahore. I feel good in Lahore as it has a special culture," he said.

Would like to talk to Pakistan's new govt and move forward: Indian envoy Ajay Bisaria

The Indian Air Force is "very much alive" to emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said Sunday, and asserted that his force was prepared to deal with any challenge to protect India's national interests.

He also said there is cause for concern over the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in India's neighbourhood, even as India faces challenges emanating from "unresolved territorial disputes" and "sponsored" non-state and transnational actors. But the IAF is capable of, and is moving ahead, for countering them effectively, he told PTI in an interview.

Asked whether the IAF can play a role in smashing terrorist training camps across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he did not rule out such a possibility.

"The IAF is well equipped to take on threats which occur from across the border, be it in the realm of sub conventional or other domains," the Air Chief Marshal said.

Referring to India's immediate security challenges, without naming China and Pakistan, he said, "The current challenges emanate from unresolved territorial issues, sponsored non-state actors and transnational actors who act against national interests through the global commons."

"The IAF is prepared 24x7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to any contingency with all our available assets," he told PTI.

Dhanoa also made an indirect reference to China's rapid modernisation of its air force and also about the infrastructure development Beijing has carried out in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) bordering India.

"The IAF is well equipped to take on challenges across the entire range of threats that could emanate across our borders. While there is a cause for concern as regards to the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in our neighbourhood, the IAF is nevertheless, moving ahead with appropriate measures to cater to these new developments," he said.

Asked whether the IAF was capable of playing a role to expand India's geo-political influence in the Indo-Pacific region, he replied in the affirmative and talked about IAF's capabilities including having the second largest fleet of C-17s.

"We have the second largest fleet of C-17s in the world. Therefore, India will pull its heft in helping out friendly nations in times of human distress and humanitarian relief. In addition, the IAF is very much alive to the emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region," he said.

At present, the IAF has a fleet of ten C-17 Globemasters, used for strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo for long-range missions.

The US has been pushing for a greater role for India in the Indo-Pacific which is seen by many countries as an effort to contain China's growing clout in the region.

In November last year, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Dhanoa said the IAF was adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to deal with various security challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner.

"The gradual shift in the centre of gravity of global financial power from the West to the East has brought many challenges to the fabric of existential peace in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

"Security is no longer confined to the preservation of territorial integrity alone. It also encompasses a comprehensive concept including all elements of national power," he added.

On IAF's ambitious modernisation plan, the Chief of Air Staff said augmenting the fighter squadron strength was his top priority.

"To achieve this, the IAF is looking at new inductions and midlife upgrades. Towards this, MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft are being upgraded in a phased manner in order to equip them with contemporary capabilities," he said.

He also mentioned the planned induction of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft and 36 Rafale jets.

"Further, case for 114 fighter aircraft is being processed under the Strategic Partnership model of DPP (Defence Procurement Procedure)-16. Other options are also being explored to build up to authorised strength at the earliest," he added.

The IAF has already started the process to procure a batch of 114 fighter jets.

At present, the IAF has a total of 32 squadrons of fighter jets much below the authorised strength of 42 squadrons.

"The IAF is adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to tackle emerging challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner," said the IAF chief.

The Indian Air Force is "very much alive" to emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said Sunday, and asserted that his force was prepared to deal with any challenge to protect India's national interests.

The Indian Air Force is "very much alive" to emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said Sunday, and asserted that his force was prepared to deal with any challenge to protect India's national interests. He also said there is cause for concern over the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in India's neighbourhood, even as India faces challenges emanating from "unresolved territorial disputes" and "sponsored" non-state and transnational actors. But the IAF is capable of, and is moving ahead, for countering them effectively, he told PTI in an interview. Asked whether the IAF can play a role in smashing terrorist training camps across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he did not rule out such a possibility. "The IAF is well equipped to take on threats which occur from across the border, be it in the realm of sub conventional or other domains," the Air Chief Marshal said. Referring to India's immediate security challenges, without naming China and Pakistan, he said, "The current challenges emanate from unresolved territorial issues, sponsored non-state actors and transnational actors who act against national interests through the global commons." "The IAF is prepared 24x7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to any contingency with all our available assets," he told PTI. Dhanoa also made an indirect reference to China's rapid modernisation of its air force and also about the infrastructure development Beijing has carried out in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) bordering India. "The IAF is well equipped to take on challenges across the entire range of threats that could emanate across our borders. While there is a cause for concern as regards to the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in our neighbourhood, the IAF is nevertheless, moving ahead with appropriate measures to cater to these new developments," he said. Asked whether the IAF was capable of playing a role to expand India's geo-political influence in the Indo-Pacific region, he replied in the affirmative and talked about IAF's capabilities including having the second largest fleet of C-17s. "We have the second largest fleet of C-17s in the world. Therefore, India will pull its heft in helping out friendly nations in times of human distress and humanitarian relief. In addition, the IAF is very much alive to the emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region," he said. At present, the IAF has a fleet of ten C-17 Globemasters, used for strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo for long-range missions. The US has been pushing for a greater role for India in the Indo-Pacific which is seen by many countries as an effort to contain China's growing clout in the region. In November last year, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence. Dhanoa said the IAF was adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to deal with various security challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner. "The gradual shift in the centre of gravity of global financial power from the West to the East has brought many challenges to the fabric of existential peace in the Asia-Pacific," he said. "Security is no longer confined to the preservation of territorial integrity alone. It also encompasses a comprehensive concept including all elements of national power," he added. On IAF's ambitious modernisation plan, the Chief of Air Staff said augmenting the fighter squadron strength was his top priority. "To achieve this, the IAF is looking at new inductions and midlife upgrades. Towards this, MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft are being upgraded in a phased manner in order to equip them with contemporary capabilities," he said. He also mentioned the planned induction of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft and 36 Rafale jets. "Further, case for 114 fighter aircraft is being processed under the Strategic Partnership model of DPP (Defence Procurement Procedure)-16. Other options are also being explored to build up to authorised strength at the earliest," he added. The IAF has already started the process to procure a batch of 114 fighter jets. At present, the IAF has a total of 32 squadrons of fighter jets much below the authorised strength of 42 squadrons. "The IAF is adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to tackle emerging challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner," said the IAF chief.

India is 'very much alive' to emerging threats in Indo-Pacific: Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa

Pakistan's anti-graft body on Saturday arrested opposition leader and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in another corruption case and had his physical remand extended till November 24.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had taken Shehbaz Sharif, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and younger brother of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, into custody on October 5 in the Rs 14 billion Ashiana-i-Iqbal housing project scam.

Shehbaz was produced before an accountability court in Lahore for a hearing in the Ashiana scam and the NAB requested extension to his remand for another 15 days. It informed the court that it had also arrested Shehbaz in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

His counsel Ahmad Pervaiz opposed further extension in the physical remand saying his client had been in NAB custody for more than a month and could not prove anything against him.

NAB prosecutor Waris Ali Janjua said the body could not interrogate Shahbaz properly as he attended the National Assembly session during the remand period.

After hearing the arguments, the court extended the 14-day remand of Shahbaz in NAB custody till November 24.

Several PML-N workers gathered outside the court and chanted slogans against the Imran Khan government and NAB.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz's son Salman Shahbaz on Friday skipped the third consecutive hearing in NAB Lahore as he left for London.

"The Sharifs wants Salman to extend his stay in London till the outcome of&nbsp; 
the investigation against his father and his elder brother Hamza Shahbaz," a family source said adding the family fears that NAB may arrest Salman.

According to the NAB, both brothers - Hamza and Salman - in their capacity as directors of Ramzan Sugar Mills got a bridge constructed linking their mills using public money in Chiniot, some 200 kms from Lahore.

It said an amount of Rs 200 million was approved by then Punjab chief minister Shahbaz for the construction of the bridge.

NAB Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem said Salman had fled to London after the bureau sought details of his family properties and said he is deliberately avoiding the NAB hearing. The Sharif family denies this saying he will soon return to face the NAB probe.

Shehbaz Sharif's son-in-law Imran Ali Yousaf is already in London after being declared a proclaimed offender by the accountability court in the Punjab Saaf Pani Company and the Punjab Power Development Company (PPDC) cases.&nbsp;

Pakistan's anti-graft body on Saturday arrested opposition leader and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in another corruption case and had his physical remand extended till November 24.

Pakistan's anti-graft body on Saturday arrested opposition leader and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in another corruption case and had his physical remand extended till November 24. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had taken Shehbaz Sharif, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and younger brother of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, into custody on October 5 in the Rs 14 billion Ashiana-i-Iqbal housing project scam. Shehbaz was produced before an accountability court in Lahore for a hearing in the Ashiana scam and the NAB requested extension to his remand for another 15 days. It informed the court that it had also arrested Shehbaz in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case. His counsel Ahmad Pervaiz opposed further extension in the physical remand saying his client had been in NAB custody for more than a month and could not prove anything against him. NAB prosecutor Waris Ali Janjua said the body could not interrogate Shahbaz properly as he attended the National Assembly session during the remand period. After hearing the arguments, the court extended the 14-day remand of Shahbaz in NAB custody till November 24. Several PML-N workers gathered outside the court and chanted slogans against the Imran Khan government and NAB. Meanwhile, Shehbaz's son Salman Shahbaz on Friday skipped the third consecutive hearing in NAB Lahore as he left for London. "The Sharifs wants Salman to extend his stay in London till the outcome of the investigation against his father and his elder brother Hamza Shahbaz," a family source said adding the family fears that NAB may arrest Salman. According to the NAB, both brothers - Hamza and Salman - in their capacity as directors of Ramzan Sugar Mills got a bridge constructed linking their mills using public money in Chiniot, some 200 kms from Lahore. It said an amount of Rs 200 million was approved by then Punjab chief minister Shahbaz for the construction of the bridge. NAB Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem said Salman had fled to London after the bureau sought details of his family properties and said he is deliberately avoiding the NAB hearing. The Sharif family denies this saying he will soon return to face the NAB probe. Shehbaz Sharif's son-in-law Imran Ali Yousaf is already in London after being declared a proclaimed offender by the accountability court in the Punjab Saaf Pani Company and the Punjab Power Development Company (PPDC) cases.

Pak anti-graft body arrests PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in corruption case 

Pakistan police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report.

Haq, the 82-year-old cleric was stabbed to death on November 2 by unidentified attackers at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Police have arrested three suspects involved in the murder of the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The suspects have been shifted to a safe cell under strict security and are being grilled, The Express Tribune reported.

The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday with the help of Haq's mobile phone data and geo-fencing of the private housing society where he was stabbed to death, the report said.

Three different teams were set up for the investigations of the murder.

The teams are working under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Operations and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Abbas Ahsan.

Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq said.

His personal guard had gone out to the market and when he came back he saw Haq lying "in a pool of blood" on the bed, Hamidul added.

Haq was also the chief of JUI-S religo-political party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Haq's assassination shocked the entire nation as political leaders and religious scholars strongly condemned the high-profile killing, demanding that the government bring the culprits to justice.

Pakistan police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report.

Pakistan police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report. Haq, the 82-year-old cleric was stabbed to death on November 2 by unidentified attackers at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Police have arrested three suspects involved in the murder of the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The suspects have been shifted to a safe cell under strict security and are being grilled, The Express Tribune reported. The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday with the help of Haq's mobile phone data and geo-fencing of the private housing society where he was stabbed to death, the report said. Three different teams were set up for the investigations of the murder. The teams are working under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Operations and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Abbas Ahsan. Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq said. His personal guard had gone out to the market and when he came back he saw Haq lying "in a pool of blood" on the bed, Hamidul added. Haq was also the chief of JUI-S religo-political party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Haq's assassination shocked the entire nation as political leaders and religious scholars strongly condemned the high-profile killing, demanding that the government bring the culprits to justice.

Pakistan Police arrest 3 suspects in JUI-S chief's assassination case

In a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan the Members of European Parliament have expressed concern over the threats to Asia Bibi (Aasiya Noreen), who was recently acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court in a Blasphemy Case.

The letter is signed by 197 EU politicians including from states that provide financial assistance to Pakistan. They have demanded safe passage for Asia Bibi as the Islamic fundamentalists have threatened to kill her.

Asia Bibi was convicted of Blasphemy eight years ago and sentenced to death by hanging. It was alleged that she made derogatory remarks about Islam after others objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not a Muslim.

In a letter sent to Imran Khan, EU politicians said: "We celebrated the decision of the Supreme Court to acquit Asia Bibi and were pleased to see the government defend the judiciary in the days that followed. However, it has since been reported that because of the political deal struck with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, Asia Bibi is, once again, effectively on death row"."We are aware that a review of the Supreme Court verdict could take years, leaving Asia incarcerated for that time or vulnerable to mob violence if released", said the letter.

It further stated: "We understand that the decision to review the ruling was made for political, rather than legal, reasons. What happens next in this sad story will show the world whether Pakistan is a nation that respects the rule of law, or whether political interests will prevail."

''The Members of European Parliament said Pakistan must maintain the rule of law and such incidents will hugely impact the country economically."

Investors and businesses need confidence in justice for the sake of contracts, employees, and reputation. Likewise, other nations will be less likely to invest in Pakistan if the rule of law is undermined. Therefore, we urge in the strongest possible terms the Government of Pakistan to guarantee safe passage for Asiya, her family, and any of those under threat due to their part in the decision to acquit her, to any country that accepts them," the letter said.

In a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan the Members of European Parliament have expressed concern over the threats to Asia Bibi (Aasiya Noreen), who was recently acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court in a Blasphemy Case.

In a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan the Members of European Parliament have expressed concern over the threats to Asia Bibi (Aasiya Noreen), who was recently acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court in a Blasphemy Case. The letter is signed by 197 EU politicians including from states that provide financial assistance to Pakistan. They have demanded safe passage for Asia Bibi as the Islamic fundamentalists have threatened to kill her. Asia Bibi was convicted of Blasphemy eight years ago and sentenced to death by hanging. It was alleged that she made derogatory remarks about Islam after others objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not a Muslim. In a letter sent to Imran Khan, EU politicians said: "We celebrated the decision of the Supreme Court to acquit Asia Bibi and were pleased to see the government defend the judiciary in the days that followed. However, it has since been reported that because of the political deal struck with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, Asia Bibi is, once again, effectively on death row"."We are aware that a review of the Supreme Court verdict could take years, leaving Asia incarcerated for that time or vulnerable to mob violence if released", said the letter. It further stated: "We understand that the decision to review the ruling was made for political, rather than legal, reasons. What happens next in this sad story will show the world whether Pakistan is a nation that respects the rule of law, or whether political interests will prevail." ''The Members of European Parliament said Pakistan must maintain the rule of law and such incidents will hugely impact the country economically." Investors and businesses need confidence in justice for the sake of contracts, employees, and reputation. Likewise, other nations will be less likely to invest in Pakistan if the rule of law is undermined. Therefore, we urge in the strongest possible terms the Government of Pakistan to guarantee safe passage for Asiya, her family, and any of those under threat due to their part in the decision to acquit her, to any country that accepts them," the letter said.

EU politicians demand safe passage for Asia Bibi

Pakistan's Supreme Court Friday ordered the authorities to restrain from acquitting 68 terrorists convicted by military courts on terrorism charges.

The release of the convicts was earlier ordered by the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

All 68 were sentenced by the military courts in different cases but they challenged the conviction in the PHC which on October 18 overturned the sentence and ordered the authorities to set them free.

The acquittal order was challenged by the Defence Ministry on behalf of army in the Supreme Court, where a two-member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed heard the case.

Additional Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti told the apex court that the high court failed to take into account the accurate review of the facts. 
He argued that all convicts were involved in acts of militancy and were convicted by the military courts after due process of law.

The court after hearing argument ordered jail authorities that convicts be released until final adjudication of the appeal.

The court also issued notices to the parties and adjourned the case indefinitely.

The military courts were set up for speedy trial of militants after they attacked an Army-run school in Peshawar in December 2014 and killed around 150 people, mostly students.

The military courts work in secrecy and their decision are made public when endorsed by the Army Chief.

However, details like venue and dates of trial and officials involved are withheld due to security reasons.

Pakistan's Supreme Court Friday ordered the authorities to restrain from acquitting 68 terrorists convicted by military courts on terrorism charges. The release of the convicts was earlier ordered by the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

Pakistan's Supreme Court Friday ordered the authorities to restrain from acquitting 68 terrorists convicted by military courts on terrorism charges. The release of the convicts was earlier ordered by the Peshawar High Court (PHC). All 68 were sentenced by the military courts in different cases but they challenged the conviction in the PHC which on October 18 overturned the sentence and ordered the authorities to set them free. The acquittal order was challenged by the Defence Ministry on behalf of army in the Supreme Court, where a two-member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed heard the case. Additional Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti told the apex court that the high court failed to take into account the accurate review of the facts. He argued that all convicts were involved in acts of militancy and were convicted by the military courts after due process of law. The court after hearing argument ordered jail authorities that convicts be released until final adjudication of the appeal. The court also issued notices to the parties and adjourned the case indefinitely. The military courts were set up for speedy trial of militants after they attacked an Army-run school in Peshawar in December 2014 and killed around 150 people, mostly students. The military courts work in secrecy and their decision are made public when endorsed by the Army Chief. However, details like venue and dates of trial and officials involved are withheld due to security reasons.

Pak Supreme Court stays high court order to acquit 68 terrorists convicted by military courts 

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday.

Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar last month as part of efforts to find a way to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to the Islamist group that was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001.

"On his last trip to the region in October, Special Representative Khalilzad called on the Afghan Government and the Taliban to organise authoritative negotiating teams, and has been encouraged to see that both parties are taking steps in that direction," the State Department said in a statement.

"The United States remains committed to a political settlement that results in an end to the war and to the terrorist threat posed to the United States and the world."

The Taliban are fighting the US-backed Kabul government to re-impose strict Islamic law and have stepped up attacks in strategic provinces.

A senior Taliban official said after last month`s talks that Khalilzad had asked the Taliban leadership, based in the Qatari capital Doha, to declare a ceasefire in Afghanistan for six months.&nbsp;

In exchange, the Taliban want the Afghan government to release fighters from jails and the swift removal of foreign forces fighting alongside Afghan troops. 
A statement by the US embassy in Kabul about Khalilzad`s diplomatic tour in October did not confirm his meeting with the Taliban.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday. Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar last month as part of efforts to find a way to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to the Islamist group that was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001. "On his last trip to the region in October, Special Representative Khalilzad called on the Afghan Government and the Taliban to organise authoritative negotiating teams, and has been encouraged to see that both parties are taking steps in that direction," the State Department said in a statement. "The United States remains committed to a political settlement that results in an end to the war and to the terrorist threat posed to the United States and the world." The Taliban are fighting the US-backed Kabul government to re-impose strict Islamic law and have stepped up attacks in strategic provinces. A senior Taliban official said after last month`s talks that Khalilzad had asked the Taliban leadership, based in the Qatari capital Doha, to declare a ceasefire in Afghanistan for six months. In exchange, the Taliban want the Afghan government to release fighters from jails and the swift removal of foreign forces fighting alongside Afghan troops. A statement by the US embassy in Kabul about Khalilzad`s diplomatic tour in October did not confirm his meeting with the Taliban.

US peace envoy to visit Afghanistan, Qatar, Pakistan, UAE

India's government is to sell more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of shares left behind by people who fled to Pakistan or China after wars with those countries.

The government said the "enemy shares" were in 996 companies held by 20,323 people and entities. They were seized after conflicts with Pakistan in 1947, 1965 and 1971 and the 1962 border war with China.

The sale, to be led by India's finance minister, is expected to raise at least Rs 3,000 crore, a minister said after the government announced late Thursday.

The proceeds would be used for development and social welfare programmes, the government added.

The shares are being sold under a 1968 law which defined as "enemy assets" those belonging to people who left India following the conflicts with Pakistan and China.

Citizens of hostile countries were treated as "enemies" and their assets including land, houses, jewellery and shares were seized.

Descendants of those who fled the country, however, continued to live in some of the properties.

"The decision will lead to monetisation of enemy shares that had been lying dormant for decades since coming into force of the Enemy Property Act in 1968," said the government statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government amended the controversial law in 2017 to include even assets held by legal heirs who stayed behind and were Indian citizens. This triggered outrage as many of those who left for Pakistan were Muslims.

Families who remain in the listed properties fear being evicted any time.

The government said in January it had identified more than 9,400 "enemy" assets for auction. Among these, 9,280 properties were left behind by Pakistani nationals and 126 by Chinese.

India's government is to sell more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of shares left behind by people who fled to Pakistan or China after wars with those countries. The government said the "enemy shares" were in 996 companies held by 20,323 people and entities.

India's government is to sell more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of shares left behind by people who fled to Pakistan or China after wars with those countries. The government said the "enemy shares" were in 996 companies held by 20,323 people and entities. They were seized after conflicts with Pakistan in 1947, 1965 and 1971 and the 1962 border war with China. The sale, to be led by India's finance minister, is expected to raise at least Rs 3,000 crore, a minister said after the government announced late Thursday. The proceeds would be used for development and social welfare programmes, the government added. The shares are being sold under a 1968 law which defined as "enemy assets" those belonging to people who left India following the conflicts with Pakistan and China. Citizens of hostile countries were treated as "enemies" and their assets including land, houses, jewellery and shares were seized. Descendants of those who fled the country, however, continued to live in some of the properties. "The decision will lead to monetisation of enemy shares that had been lying dormant for decades since coming into force of the Enemy Property Act in 1968," said the government statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government amended the controversial law in 2017 to include even assets held by legal heirs who stayed behind and were Indian citizens. This triggered outrage as many of those who left for Pakistan were Muslims. Families who remain in the listed properties fear being evicted any time. The government said in January it had identified more than 9,400 "enemy" assets for auction. Among these, 9,280 properties were left behind by Pakistani nationals and 126 by Chinese.

India to sell 'enemy properties' worth Rs 3000 cr of people who fled to Pakistan, China

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday.

China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast.

It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean.

China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India.

The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said.

Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent.

The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement.

A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port.

The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said.

The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding.

This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of pro-China military junta.

Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty.

The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar.

Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan. China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday. China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast. It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean. China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India. The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said. Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent. The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement. A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port. The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said. The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding. This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of pro-China military junta. Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty. The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar. Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

China clinches multi-billion-dollar strategic port deal with Myanmar 

The US has carried out a total of 409 drone attacks in Pakistan targeting suspected militants since January 2004, killing 2,714 people and injuring 728 others, a media report said on Friday.

The attacks, carried out by the CIA-operated drones, over the years have targeted the areas of Bajaur, Bannu, Hangu, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Nushki, Orakzai, and South Waziristan, Dawn reported.

Majority of the drone strikes were carried out during the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party between 2008 and 2012.

Citing sources within the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), the paper said the period saw 336 aerial attacks, in which 2,282 people lost their lives and 658 received injuries.

The officials said that 2010 alone saw 117 attacks that killed 775 people and injured 193 others.

Between 2013 and 2018 -- during the government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz -- 65 drone attacks occurred in which 301 people were killed and 70 others injured.&nbsp;

In 2018, two drone attacks killed one person and injured another.

The top leadership of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has been killed in drone attacks. Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in one of such strikes in 2016.

Days after Mullah Mansour's killing, then Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif had said: "US drone strikes in Pakistani territory are regrettable and must stop."

Pakistan opposes drone strikes, saying they violate its sovereignty. 
The officials said that 289 attacks were conducted in North Waziristan alone, in which 1,651 individuals were killed and 421 others injured. South Waziristan saw 91 attacks that killed 707 individuals and injured 215.&nbsp;

There were 13 strikes in the Kurram Agency that killed 110 and injured 32, five in the Khyber Agency that killed 57 and injured 29, four in the Bajaur Agency that killed 129, two in Hangu that killed seven and injured two, one in the Mohmand Agency that killed 18 and one in Nushki that killed two.

Quoting officials, the paper said that at least 19,177 civilians and officials have been killed so far and 47,869 others injured in the 18,850 terror-related attacks in Pakistan since 2001.

The attacks, they said, mostly targeted Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and were carried out through different methods that included bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks, mine explosions, missiles, rockets, and suicide attacks.

Terrorists also targeted minorities to instigate sectarian violence and employed sophisticated methods, including the usage of Improvised Explosive Devices - vehicle explosive devices as well as radio-controlled improvised devices, the paper said.

In 2018, at least 405 terrorist attacks took place in the country, killing 133 officials and 233 civilians.

In Punjab, 14 incidents of bomb blasts, suicide attacks and engagements with terrorists led to the deaths of six LEA officials and as many civilians this year.

Sindh has seen 11 incidents of terror-related attacks, which included strikes on LEAs, through bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks and general aggressive engagement with terrorists. Two LEA officials and as many civilians lost their lives in the attacks.

There were 51 incidents of targeting LEAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year, resulting in the death of 21 personnel and 11 civilians.

In Balochistan, 172 terror-related incidents were recorded, resulting in the death of 58 personnel and 193 civilians. In Fata, 42 personnel and 21 civilians were killed in 150 terror attacks this year.

The paper reported that capital Islamabad has remained safe so far in the year.

The US has carried out a total of 409 drone attacks in Pakistan targeting suspected militants since January 2004, killing 2,714 people and injuring 728 others, a media report said on Friday.

The US has carried out a total of 409 drone attacks in Pakistan targeting suspected militants since January 2004, killing 2,714 people and injuring 728 others, a media report said on Friday. The attacks, carried out by the CIA-operated drones, over the years have targeted the areas of Bajaur, Bannu, Hangu, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Nushki, Orakzai, and South Waziristan, Dawn reported. Majority of the drone strikes were carried out during the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party between 2008 and 2012. Citing sources within the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), the paper said the period saw 336 aerial attacks, in which 2,282 people lost their lives and 658 received injuries. The officials said that 2010 alone saw 117 attacks that killed 775 people and injured 193 others. Between 2013 and 2018 -- during the government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz -- 65 drone attacks occurred in which 301 people were killed and 70 others injured. In 2018, two drone attacks killed one person and injured another. The top leadership of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has been killed in drone attacks. Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in one of such strikes in 2016. Days after Mullah Mansour's killing, then Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif had said: "US drone strikes in Pakistani territory are regrettable and must stop." Pakistan opposes drone strikes, saying they violate its sovereignty. The officials said that 289 attacks were conducted in North Waziristan alone, in which 1,651 individuals were killed and 421 others injured. South Waziristan saw 91 attacks that killed 707 individuals and injured 215. There were 13 strikes in the Kurram Agency that killed 110 and injured 32, five in the Khyber Agency that killed 57 and injured 29, four in the Bajaur Agency that killed 129, two in Hangu that killed seven and injured two, one in the Mohmand Agency that killed 18 and one in Nushki that killed two. Quoting officials, the paper said that at least 19,177 civilians and officials have been killed so far and 47,869 others injured in the 18,850 terror-related attacks in Pakistan since 2001. The attacks, they said, mostly targeted Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and were carried out through different methods that included bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks, mine explosions, missiles, rockets, and suicide attacks. Terrorists also targeted minorities to instigate sectarian violence and employed sophisticated methods, including the usage of Improvised Explosive Devices - vehicle explosive devices as well as radio-controlled improvised devices, the paper said. In 2018, at least 405 terrorist attacks took place in the country, killing 133 officials and 233 civilians. In Punjab, 14 incidents of bomb blasts, suicide attacks and engagements with terrorists led to the deaths of six LEA officials and as many civilians this year. Sindh has seen 11 incidents of terror-related attacks, which included strikes on LEAs, through bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks and general aggressive engagement with terrorists. Two LEA officials and as many civilians lost their lives in the attacks. There were 51 incidents of targeting LEAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year, resulting in the death of 21 personnel and 11 civilians. In Balochistan, 172 terror-related incidents were recorded, resulting in the death of 58 personnel and 193 civilians. In Fata, 42 personnel and 21 civilians were killed in 150 terror attacks this year. The paper reported that capital Islamabad has remained safe so far in the year.

2,714 people killed in 409 US drone attacks in Pakistan since January 2004: Report 

By Steve Pinkerton

The citizens of Ireland voted recently, in a nationwide referendum, to remove a clause from their constitution that had made blasphemy a criminal offence.

Ireland’s now-defunct Defamation Act of 2009 prohibited the “publication or utterance of blasphemous matter.” Just last year, in fact, Irish police opened a brief investigation into whether comedian Stephen Fry had broken the law when he described God as “capricious, mean-minded, stupid” and “an utter maniac” during a televised interview. The case was closed, however, as the police said they had been “unable to find a substantial number of outraged people.”

The overturning of Ireland’s blasphemy law stands in stark contrast to recent news out of Pakistan – where the release from prison of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, accused of blasphemy, has led to widespread protests. In Indonesia, too, many people have been jailed for speaking irreverently against Islam.

Despite its recent defeat, Ireland’s 2009 blasphemy law is an important reminder that laws against blasphemy have hardly been unique to the Muslim world – even in the 21st century.

Understanding the Muslim world

As of 2014, according to the Pew Research Center, nearly one-fifth of European countries and a third of countries in the Americas, notably Canada, have laws against blasphemy.

In my research for a literary study of blasphemy, I found that these laws may differ in many respects from their more well-known counterparts in Muslim nations, but they also share some common features with them.

In particular, they’re all united in regarding blasphemy as a form of “injury” – even as they disagree about what, exactly, blasphemy injures.

In the Muslim world, such injured parties are often a lot easier to find. Cultural anthropologist Saba Mahmood said that many devout Muslims perceive blasphemy as an almost physical injury: an intolerable offence that hurts both God himself and the whole community of the faithful.

For Mahmood that perception was brought powerfully home in 2005, when a Danish newspaper published cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. Interviewing a number of Muslims at the time, Mahmood was “struck,” she wrote, “by the sense of personal loss” they conveyed. People she interviewed were very clear on this point:

“The idea that we should just get over this hurt makes me so mad.”

“I would have felt less wounded if the object of ridicule were my own parents.”

The intensity of this “hurt,” “wounding” and “ridicule” helps to explain how blasphemy can remain a capital offence in a theocratic state like Pakistan. The punishment is tailored to the enormity of the perceived crime.

Blasphemy and Christians

That may sound like a foreign concept to secular ears. The reality, though, is that most Western blasphemy laws are rooted in a similar logic of religious offence.

As historians like Leonard Levy and David Nash have documented, these laws – dating, mostly, from the 1200s to the early 1800s – were designed to protect Christian beliefs and practices from the sort of “hurt” and “ridicule” that animates Islamic blasphemy laws today. But as the West became increasingly secular, religious injury gradually lost much of its power to provoke. By the mid-20th century, most Western blasphemy laws had become virtually dead letters.

That’s certainly true of the US, where such laws remain “on the books” in six states but haven’t been invoked since at least the early 1970s. They’re now widely held to be nullified by the First Amendment.

Yet looking beyond the American context, one will find that blasphemy laws are hardly obsolete throughout the West. Instead, they’re acquiring new uses for the 21st century.

Religious offence in a secular world

Consider the case of a Danish man who was charged with blasphemy, in February 2017, for burning a Quran and for posting a video of the act online.

In the past, Denmark’s blasphemy law had only ever been enforced to punish anti-Christian expression. (It was last used in 1946.) Today it serves to highlight an ongoing trend: In an increasingly pluralist, multicultural West, blasphemy laws find fresh purpose in policing intolerance between religious communities.

In other words, the real question for the 21st century has not been whether blasphemy counts as a crime. Instead, it’s been about who, or what – God or the state, religion or pluralism – is the injured party. Instead of preventing injury to God, these laws now seek to prevent injury to the social fabric of avowedly secular states.

That’s true not only of the West’s centuries-old blasphemy laws but also of more recent ones. Ireland’s Defamation Act, for instance, targeted any person who “utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion.”

With its emphasis on the “outrage” blasphemy may cause among “any religion,” the measure was clearly aimed less at protecting the sacred than at preventing intolerance among diverse religious groups.

The law itself caused outrage of a different sort, however. Advocacy organisations, such as Atheist Ireland, mounted fierce opposition to the law and to the example it set internationally. In late 2009, for instance, Pakistan borrowed the exact language of the Irish law in its own proposed statement on blasphemy to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council.

Thus, Atheist Ireland warned on its website that “The Islamic States can now point to a modern pluralist Western State passing a new blasphemy law in the 21st century.”

Blasphemy in modernity

That warning resonates with the common Western view of blasphemy as an antiquated concept, a medieval throwback with no relevance to “modern,” “developed” societies. Atheist Ireland’s chairperson, Michael Nugent, drew on this tradition when he touted the significance of the recent referendum victory:

“It means that we’ve got rid of a medieval crime from our constitution that should never have been there.”

As Columbia University professor Gauri Viswanathan puts it, blasphemy is often used “to separate cultures of modernity from those of premodernity.” Starting from the assumption that blasphemy can exist only in a backward society, critics point to blasphemy as evidence of the backwardness of entire religious cultures.

I would argue, however, that this Eurocentric view is growing increasingly difficult to sustain. If anything, blasphemy has in recent years enjoyed a resurgence in many corners of the supposedly secular West – including prosecutions in Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Turkey. Perhaps the fate of Ireland’s Defamation Act forecasts a broader reversal of that trend.

(Steve Pinkerton is Lecturer in English, Case Western Reserve University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/blasphemy-law-is-repealed-in-ireland-enforced-in-pakistan-and-a-problem-in-many-christian-and-muslim-countries-106487">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 Steve Pinkerton The citizens of Ireland voted recently, in a nationwide referendum, to remove a clause from their constitution that had made blasphemy a criminal offence.

By Steve Pinkerton The citizens of Ireland voted recently, in a nationwide referendum, to remove a clause from their constitution that had made blasphemy a criminal offence. Ireland’s now-defunct Defamation Act of 2009 prohibited the “publication or utterance of blasphemous matter.” Just last year, in fact, Irish police opened a brief investigation into whether comedian Stephen Fry had broken the law when he described God as “capricious, mean-minded, stupid” and “an utter maniac” during a televised interview. The case was closed, however, as the police said they had been “unable to find a substantial number of outraged people.” The overturning of Ireland’s blasphemy law stands in stark contrast to recent news out of Pakistan – where the release from prison of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, accused of blasphemy, has led to widespread protests. In Indonesia, too, many people have been jailed for speaking irreverently against Islam. Despite its recent defeat, Ireland’s 2009 blasphemy law is an important reminder that laws against blasphemy have hardly been unique to the Muslim world – even in the 21st century. Understanding the Muslim world As of 2014, according to the Pew Research Center, nearly one-fifth of European countries and a third of countries in the Americas, notably Canada, have laws against blasphemy. In my research for a literary study of blasphemy, I found that these laws may differ in many respects from their more well-known counterparts in Muslim nations, but they also share some common features with them. In particular, they’re all united in regarding blasphemy as a form of “injury” – even as they disagree about what, exactly, blasphemy injures. In the Muslim world, such injured parties are often a lot easier to find. Cultural anthropologist Saba Mahmood said that many devout Muslims perceive blasphemy as an almost physical injury: an intolerable offence that hurts both God himself and the whole community of the faithful. For Mahmood that perception was brought powerfully home in 2005, when a Danish newspaper published cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. Interviewing a number of Muslims at the time, Mahmood was “struck,” she wrote, “by the sense of personal loss” they conveyed. People she interviewed were very clear on this point: “The idea that we should just get over this hurt makes me so mad.” “I would have felt less wounded if the object of ridicule were my own parents.” The intensity of this “hurt,” “wounding” and “ridicule” helps to explain how blasphemy can remain a capital offence in a theocratic state like Pakistan. The punishment is tailored to the enormity of the perceived crime. Blasphemy and Christians That may sound like a foreign concept to secular ears. The reality, though, is that most Western blasphemy laws are rooted in a similar logic of religious offence. As historians like Leonard Levy and David Nash have documented, these laws – dating, mostly, from the 1200s to the early 1800s – were designed to protect Christian beliefs and practices from the sort of “hurt” and “ridicule” that animates Islamic blasphemy laws today. But as the West became increasingly secular, religious injury gradually lost much of its power to provoke. By the mid-20th century, most Western blasphemy laws had become virtually dead letters. That’s certainly true of the US, where such laws remain “on the books” in six states but haven’t been invoked since at least the early 1970s. They’re now widely held to be nullified by the First Amendment. Yet looking beyond the American context, one will find that blasphemy laws are hardly obsolete throughout the West. Instead, they’re acquiring new uses for the 21st century. Religious offence in a secular world Consider the case of a Danish man who was charged with blasphemy, in February 2017, for burning a Quran and for posting a video of the act online. In the past, Denmark’s blasphemy law had only ever been enforced to punish anti-Christian expression. (It was last used in 1946.) Today it serves to highlight an ongoing trend: In an increasingly pluralist, multicultural West, blasphemy laws find fresh purpose in policing intolerance between religious communities. In other words, the real question for the 21st century has not been whether blasphemy counts as a crime. Instead, it’s been about who, or what – God or the state, religion or pluralism – is the injured party. Instead of preventing injury to God, these laws now seek to prevent injury to the social fabric of avowedly secular states. That’s true not only of the West’s centuries-old blasphemy laws but also of more recent ones. Ireland’s Defamation Act, for instance, targeted any person who “utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion.” With its emphasis on the “outrage” blasphemy may cause among “any religion,” the measure was clearly aimed less at protecting the sacred than at preventing intolerance among diverse religious groups. The law itself caused outrage of a different sort, however. Advocacy organisations, such as Atheist Ireland, mounted fierce opposition to the law and to the example it set internationally. In late 2009, for instance, Pakistan borrowed the exact language of the Irish law in its own proposed statement on blasphemy to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Thus, Atheist Ireland warned on its website that “The Islamic States can now point to a modern pluralist Western State passing a new blasphemy law in the 21st century.” Blasphemy in modernity That warning resonates with the common Western view of blasphemy as an antiquated concept, a medieval throwback with no relevance to “modern,” “developed” societies. Atheist Ireland’s chairperson, Michael Nugent, drew on this tradition when he touted the significance of the recent referendum victory: “It means that we’ve got rid of a medieval crime from our constitution that should never have been there.” As Columbia University professor Gauri Viswanathan puts it, blasphemy is often used “to separate cultures of modernity from those of premodernity.” Starting from the assumption that blasphemy can exist only in a backward society, critics point to blasphemy as evidence of the backwardness of entire religious cultures. I would argue, however, that this Eurocentric view is growing increasingly difficult to sustain. If anything, blasphemy has in recent years enjoyed a resurgence in many corners of the supposedly secular West – including prosecutions in Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Turkey. Perhaps the fate of Ireland’s Defamation Act forecasts a broader reversal of that trend. (Steve Pinkerton is Lecturer in English, Case Western Reserve University) (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)

Blasphemy law is repealed in Ireland, enforced in Pakistan - and a problem in many other countries

The Indian government said it will sell stocks worth millions of dollars seized from people who moved to Pakistan following partition in 1947 and the wars since, as a way to make up for a shortfall in revenues.

The stocks worth at least 30 billion rupees ($412.26 million) are part of what India calls "enemy properties" that once belonged to people who went to Pakistan and China, with which India also fought a war.

Once these Indian nationals became citizens of these two countries, they were treated as "enemies" and their assets in India including land and houses as well as shares were seized and held by the Custodian of Enemy Property of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been tightening the provisions of the Enemy Property Act 1968 to include even lawful heirs who stayed behind and were Indian citizens.

Modi's cabinet on Thursday approved a plan to sell stocks in 996 companies held by 20,323 shareholders, deemed as "enemy shares" the government said in a statement. The government said 588 were active firms including 139 listed on the stock exchange.

"The decision will lead to monetization of enemy shares that had been lying dormant for decades since coming into force (of) the Enemy Property Act in 1968," it said.

Those who left India for Pakistan were Muslims, and relations between the two countries remain fraught after numerous conflicts. Pakistan enacted a similar law at the time and seized properties of those who left for India.

The government's move comes as it is casting around for funds to support welfare programmes in the final months before a national election in the summer of 2019.

It is also struggling to meet its target of raising a record 1 trillion rupees ($14.25 billion) from the sale of state assets in the current fiscal year ending in March 2019.

The government said the proceeds from the sale of stocks held under enemy assets would be treated as part of the divestment proceeds.

"The government will gain from the sales of enemy shares and the proceeds will be used for development and social welfare of our people," said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The number of properties with the Custodian of Enemy Property had risen to about 16,000 by last year from 2,100 a few years ago - nearly all taken from Muslim families - and are estimated at more than 1 trillion rupees ($13.76 billion), media reported.

The Indian government said it will sell stocks worth millions of dollars seized from people who moved to Pakistan following partition in 1947 and the wars since, as a way to make up for a shortfall in revenues.

The Indian government said it will sell stocks worth millions of dollars seized from people who moved to Pakistan following partition in 1947 and the wars since, as a way to make up for a shortfall in revenues. The stocks worth at least 30 billion rupees ($412.26 million) are part of what India calls "enemy properties" that once belonged to people who went to Pakistan and China, with which India also fought a war. Once these Indian nationals became citizens of these two countries, they were treated as "enemies" and their assets in India including land and houses as well as shares were seized and held by the Custodian of Enemy Property of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been tightening the provisions of the Enemy Property Act 1968 to include even lawful heirs who stayed behind and were Indian citizens. Modi's cabinet on Thursday approved a plan to sell stocks in 996 companies held by 20,323 shareholders, deemed as "enemy shares" the government said in a statement. The government said 588 were active firms including 139 listed on the stock exchange. "The decision will lead to monetization of enemy shares that had been lying dormant for decades since coming into force (of) the Enemy Property Act in 1968," it said. Those who left India for Pakistan were Muslims, and relations between the two countries remain fraught after numerous conflicts. Pakistan enacted a similar law at the time and seized properties of those who left for India. The government's move comes as it is casting around for funds to support welfare programmes in the final months before a national election in the summer of 2019. It is also struggling to meet its target of raising a record 1 trillion rupees ($14.25 billion) from the sale of state assets in the current fiscal year ending in March 2019. The government said the proceeds from the sale of stocks held under enemy assets would be treated as part of the divestment proceeds. "The government will gain from the sales of enemy shares and the proceeds will be used for development and social welfare of our people," said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The number of properties with the Custodian of Enemy Property had risen to about 16,000 by last year from 2,100 a few years ago - nearly all taken from Muslim families - and are estimated at more than 1 trillion rupees ($13.76 billion), media reported.

India clears sale of 'enemy shares' held by people who moved to Pakistan

Pakistan on Thursday said the Afghan Taliban's former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from jail at the request of the US as part of efforts to pursue a political settlement in war-torn Afghanistan.

"Baradar was released to provide impetus to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to pursue reconciliatory efforts to expedite and facilitate the process to our fullest ability," said Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal.

Baradar's release was facilitated by Pakistan at the US request in order to move forward on the shared objective of pursuing a political settlement in Afghanistan, he said.

The Taliban leader was in custody for the last many years after his capture by Pakistani authorities in a search operation.

"This decision was taken following the visit of the US Special Envoy on Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to the region and his meetings with Taliban representatives in Doha," Faisal said.

In recent months, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Pakistan to limit the freedom of Taliban leaders, forcing them to join Afghan peace talks.

Last month, senior American diplomat Khalilzad, tasked with helping find a way to end the war in Afghanistan, met with Taliban representatives in Qatar.

Baradar, one of the four top commanders who formed the Afghan Taliban in 1994, was captured by Pakistani security agencies in Karachi in 2010.

He was finally released from jail on the solicitation of the government of Qatar, a Pakistani media report said last month.

Baradar, who is in his 50s, is believed to be the highest-ranking Afghan Taliban prisoner freed so far.

He had held several senior positions in Afghanistan's Taliban government before its fall in 2001. He was once considered the most influential Taliban leader after Mullah Muhammad Omar.

Born in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, Baradar fought in the war to expel Soviet troops from Afghanistan in the 1980s. When the Taliban came to power in 1996, Baradar became deputy defence minister.

After the Taliban regime was toppled by US-led forces in 2001, hundreds of Taliban hardliners fled over the border to Pakistan. Baradar was among them.

Recently, a high-level delegation from Qatar also visited Islamabad and met the senior Pakistani leadership, the report said.

It did not give any details of Baradar's whereabouts after his release. It was also not clear whether he was handed over to Afghanistan or stayed in Pakistan.

It was reported a few times that Baradar had been released in Pakistan to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban but he could not be freed due to unacceptable conditions imposed by the Afghanistan government, the report said.

Faisal said Pakistan has always been emphasising the need for seeking a negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue with the participation of all stakeholders.

Responding to a question about the proposed peace talks in Moscow on Afghan peace efforts, the spokesperson said a Pakistani delegation led by an additional secretary will attend the dialogue.

He said a trilateral meeting of Pak-China-Afghan foreign ministers will be held in Kabul. "We expect that the meeting can be a step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said.

He also said it was a matter of concern that a recent American report had pointed out that the Afghan administration and foreign military forces are losing control over the security situation in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Thursday said the Afghan Taliban's former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from jail at the request of the US as part of efforts to pursue a political settlement in war-torn Afghanistan.

Pakistan on Thursday said the Afghan Taliban's former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from jail at the request of the US as part of efforts to pursue a political settlement in war-torn Afghanistan. "Baradar was released to provide impetus to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to pursue reconciliatory efforts to expedite and facilitate the process to our fullest ability," said Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal. Baradar's release was facilitated by Pakistan at the US request in order to move forward on the shared objective of pursuing a political settlement in Afghanistan, he said. The Taliban leader was in custody for the last many years after his capture by Pakistani authorities in a search operation. "This decision was taken following the visit of the US Special Envoy on Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to the region and his meetings with Taliban representatives in Doha," Faisal said. In recent months, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Pakistan to limit the freedom of Taliban leaders, forcing them to join Afghan peace talks. Last month, senior American diplomat Khalilzad, tasked with helping find a way to end the war in Afghanistan, met with Taliban representatives in Qatar. Baradar, one of the four top commanders who formed the Afghan Taliban in 1994, was captured by Pakistani security agencies in Karachi in 2010. He was finally released from jail on the solicitation of the government of Qatar, a Pakistani media report said last month. Baradar, who is in his 50s, is believed to be the highest-ranking Afghan Taliban prisoner freed so far. He had held several senior positions in Afghanistan's Taliban government before its fall in 2001. He was once considered the most influential Taliban leader after Mullah Muhammad Omar. Born in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, Baradar fought in the war to expel Soviet troops from Afghanistan in the 1980s. When the Taliban came to power in 1996, Baradar became deputy defence minister. After the Taliban regime was toppled by US-led forces in 2001, hundreds of Taliban hardliners fled over the border to Pakistan. Baradar was among them. Recently, a high-level delegation from Qatar also visited Islamabad and met the senior Pakistani leadership, the report said. It did not give any details of Baradar's whereabouts after his release. It was also not clear whether he was handed over to Afghanistan or stayed in Pakistan. It was reported a few times that Baradar had been released in Pakistan to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban but he could not be freed due to unacceptable conditions imposed by the Afghanistan government, the report said. Faisal said Pakistan has always been emphasising the need for seeking a negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue with the participation of all stakeholders. Responding to a question about the proposed peace talks in Moscow on Afghan peace efforts, the spokesperson said a Pakistani delegation led by an additional secretary will attend the dialogue. He said a trilateral meeting of Pak-China-Afghan foreign ministers will be held in Kabul. "We expect that the meeting can be a step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said. He also said it was a matter of concern that a recent American report had pointed out that the Afghan administration and foreign military forces are losing control over the security situation in Afghanistan.

Taliban leader Baradar released at US request for political settlement in Afghanistan: Pak 

A Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been freed from jail and is believed to have already flown out of the city of Multan where she was being held, heading for an unknown destination, her lawyer said Thursday.

Asia Bibi's release comes a week after her acquittal in a landmark case that triggered angry Islamist protests in Muslim-majority Pakistan and following appeals from her husband for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum. Her lawyer fled to the Netherlands on Saturday under threat to his life.

Bibi's conviction was overturned by the country's highest court last Wednesday, but she remained in prison as the government negotiated with hardliners who blockaded major cities and demanded her immediate execution.

"She has been freed," lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook said in a text message. "I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land."&nbsp;

According to a civil aviation official, the aircraft that collected Bibi from jail would be required to land in Islamabad but it was unclear if she may have had a connecting flight.

Following protests at last week's ruling, the government agreed in a deal with Islamists to impose a travel ban on Bibi, and not to challenge an appeal in the Supreme Court.

An order for her release arrived Wednesday at the jail in the central city of Multan where she was held, a prison official told.

"Asia Bibi has left the prison and has been transferred to a safe place!" tweeted Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament.

Another civil aviation official, in Multan, said a small plane arrived in the city with "a few foreigners and some Pakistanis" on board to fetch Bibi.

Her case has underscored deep divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim country.

The conviction stemmed from a 2009 incident when Bibi was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields.

Muslim women labourers objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim, and a fight reportedly erupted.

A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed.

Bibi has consistently denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politician, and religious figures.

Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while his successor, Pope Francis, met her daughter in 2015.

Incendiary charge - 
Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih has appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum and several governments including those if Italy and France have offered to help.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted: "I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee this young woman's future."

Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated allegations of insulting Islam can result in death at the hands of mobs.

Mere calls to reform the law have provoked violence, most notably the assassination of Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, by his own bodyguard in Islamabad in 2011.

Taseer had called for Bibi's release, and his son Shahbaz tweeted "Pakistan Zindabad" ("Long live Pakistan") following last week's ruling.

Thousands of Islamist hardliners poured onto the streets in protest after Supreme Court judges overturned Bibi's conviction last Wednesday.

Demonstrations broke out in major cities across the country in the wake of the ruling, with club-wielding protesters blocking Islamabad's main highway and barricading roads in Karachi and Lahore.

One of the most vocal groups in the protests -- &nbsp;the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) -- called for "mutiny" against the army's top brass and the assassination of the top court's justices.

In a statement, the TLP termed Bibi's release "against the government agreement".

"The entire atmosphere of Pakistan is in pain and grief after hearing the news about the blasphemer of the holy prophet Asia," it said.&nbsp;

One resident in Multan, Rizwan Khan, told AFP that Bibi would not be safe wherever she went, while another, Qari Muneer, said the decision should be reversed and called for her to receive "strict punishment". 
&nbsp;

A Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been freed from jail and is believed to have already flown out of the city of Multan where she was being held, heading for an unknown destination, her lawyer said Thursday.

A Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been freed from jail and is believed to have already flown out of the city of Multan where she was being held, heading for an unknown destination, her lawyer said Thursday. Asia Bibi's release comes a week after her acquittal in a landmark case that triggered angry Islamist protests in Muslim-majority Pakistan and following appeals from her husband for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum. Her lawyer fled to the Netherlands on Saturday under threat to his life. Bibi's conviction was overturned by the country's highest court last Wednesday, but she remained in prison as the government negotiated with hardliners who blockaded major cities and demanded her immediate execution. "She has been freed," lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook said in a text message. "I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land." According to a civil aviation official, the aircraft that collected Bibi from jail would be required to land in Islamabad but it was unclear if she may have had a connecting flight. Following protests at last week's ruling, the government agreed in a deal with Islamists to impose a travel ban on Bibi, and not to challenge an appeal in the Supreme Court. An order for her release arrived Wednesday at the jail in the central city of Multan where she was held, a prison official told. "Asia Bibi has left the prison and has been transferred to a safe place!" tweeted Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament. Another civil aviation official, in Multan, said a small plane arrived in the city with "a few foreigners and some Pakistanis" on board to fetch Bibi. Her case has underscored deep divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim country. The conviction stemmed from a 2009 incident when Bibi was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Muslim women labourers objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim, and a fight reportedly erupted. A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Bibi has consistently denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politician, and religious figures. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while his successor, Pope Francis, met her daughter in 2015. Incendiary charge - Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih has appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum and several governments including those if Italy and France have offered to help. Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted: "I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee this young woman's future." Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated allegations of insulting Islam can result in death at the hands of mobs. Mere calls to reform the law have provoked violence, most notably the assassination of Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, by his own bodyguard in Islamabad in 2011. Taseer had called for Bibi's release, and his son Shahbaz tweeted "Pakistan Zindabad" ("Long live Pakistan") following last week's ruling. Thousands of Islamist hardliners poured onto the streets in protest after Supreme Court judges overturned Bibi's conviction last Wednesday. Demonstrations broke out in major cities across the country in the wake of the ruling, with club-wielding protesters blocking Islamabad's main highway and barricading roads in Karachi and Lahore. One of the most vocal groups in the protests -- the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) -- called for "mutiny" against the army's top brass and the assassination of the top court's justices. In a statement, the TLP termed Bibi's release "against the government agreement". "The entire atmosphere of Pakistan is in pain and grief after hearing the news about the blasphemer of the holy prophet Asia," it said. One resident in Multan, Rizwan Khan, told AFP that Bibi would not be safe wherever she went, while another, Qari Muneer, said the decision should be reversed and called for her to receive "strict punishment".

Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi leaves jail, flies out of Multan

Italy said on Tuesday it will help a Pakistani Christian woman leave her country because her life is in danger following charges of blasphemy against Islam that put her on death row for eight years.

Pakistan's Supreme Court acquitted Asia Bibi last month but the decision sparked mass protests and her husband, Ashiq Masih, says they could be killed by Islamists. Authorities have indicated they will bar Bibi from travelling abroad.

In February 2018, Masih and his daughter attended a ceremony in Italy to show solidarity with persecuted Christians where Rome's ancient Colosseum was lit in red.

Asia Bibi's case has galvanized Christian and human rights groups outraged by the country's treatment of religious minorities including its tiny Christian population.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini told a radio station that Italy is working discreetly on the case with other Western countries.

Marta Petrosillo, a spokesperson for the international Catholic agency Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) said her organisation had spoken to someone close to the family earlier in the morning.

Petrosillo said Asia Bibi was in the same security complex as her family but still separated from them.

"So far as we know she was able only to speak with her husband and she didn't meet her daughters yet but they are finally all together and they are waiting to go out of Pakistan but this morning they were still in Pakistan," she said.

Bibi's case has prompted groups such as ACN, which has close ties to the Vatican, to demand protection for Christians in countries where they are a minority.

Italy said on Tuesday it will help a Pakistani Christian woman leave her country because her life is in danger following charges of blasphemy against Islam that put her on death row for eight years.

Italy said on Tuesday it will help a Pakistani Christian woman leave her country because her life is in danger following charges of blasphemy against Islam that put her on death row for eight years. Pakistan's Supreme Court acquitted Asia Bibi last month but the decision sparked mass protests and her husband, Ashiq Masih, says they could be killed by Islamists. Authorities have indicated they will bar Bibi from travelling abroad. In February 2018, Masih and his daughter attended a ceremony in Italy to show solidarity with persecuted Christians where Rome's ancient Colosseum was lit in red. Asia Bibi's case has galvanized Christian and human rights groups outraged by the country's treatment of religious minorities including its tiny Christian population. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini told a radio station that Italy is working discreetly on the case with other Western countries. Marta Petrosillo, a spokesperson for the international Catholic agency Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) said her organisation had spoken to someone close to the family earlier in the morning. Petrosillo said Asia Bibi was in the same security complex as her family but still separated from them. "So far as we know she was able only to speak with her husband and she didn't meet her daughters yet but they are finally all together and they are waiting to go out of Pakistan but this morning they were still in Pakistan," she said. Bibi's case has prompted groups such as ACN, which has close ties to the Vatican, to demand protection for Christians in countries where they are a minority.

Pakistan blasphemy case: Italy says will help Asia Bibi leave her country

The Indonesian government will push ahead and ratify a trade deal with Pakistan to protect $1.5 billion in annual palm oil exports to the South Asia nation, a cabinet minister said.

Indonesia is the world`s biggest palm oil producer and although it is the dominant exporter to Pakistan, it has been losing market share to the world`s number two producer, Malaysia, according to Abdul Rasheed JanMohammed, chairman of Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Association.

Indonesia`s Coordinating Minister of Economics Affairs Darmin Nasution said in a statement late on Wednesday that the preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Pakistan will be ratified by the president, without parliamentary approval.

If Indonesia does not ratify the deal soon, "Pakistan will terminate the PTA, making Indonesia lose its crude palm oil market worth $1.46 billion", the statement said. Malaysia could then grab that market share, it said.

Pakistan is expected to buy 70 per cent of its crude palm oil from Indonesia this year, down from 80 per cent in the past two years, JanMohammed said at an industry conference in Indonesia last week. Malaysia has picked up market share in Pakistan, he said.

In 2017, Indonesia booked a $2.15 billion overall trade surplus with Pakistan, with total two-way trade of $2.63 billion.

Indonesia is also set to ratify six other deals that have been stalled in parliament for several years without explanation, the statement said.&nbsp;

Indonesia will sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Australia before the end of this year, after leaders of both countries concluded talks on ways to boost trade and investment in areas ranging from cars to cattle.

The Indonesian government will push ahead and ratify a trade deal with Pakistan to protect $1.5 billion in annual palm oil exports to the South Asia nation, a cabinet minister said.

The Indonesian government will push ahead and ratify a trade deal with Pakistan to protect $1.5 billion in annual palm oil exports to the South Asia nation, a cabinet minister said. Indonesia is the world`s biggest palm oil producer and although it is the dominant exporter to Pakistan, it has been losing market share to the world`s number two producer, Malaysia, according to Abdul Rasheed JanMohammed, chairman of Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Association. Indonesia`s Coordinating Minister of Economics Affairs Darmin Nasution said in a statement late on Wednesday that the preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Pakistan will be ratified by the president, without parliamentary approval. If Indonesia does not ratify the deal soon, "Pakistan will terminate the PTA, making Indonesia lose its crude palm oil market worth $1.46 billion", the statement said. Malaysia could then grab that market share, it said. Pakistan is expected to buy 70 per cent of its crude palm oil from Indonesia this year, down from 80 per cent in the past two years, JanMohammed said at an industry conference in Indonesia last week. Malaysia has picked up market share in Pakistan, he said. In 2017, Indonesia booked a $2.15 billion overall trade surplus with Pakistan, with total two-way trade of $2.63 billion. Indonesia is also set to ratify six other deals that have been stalled in parliament for several years without explanation, the statement said. Indonesia will sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Australia before the end of this year, after leaders of both countries concluded talks on ways to boost trade and investment in areas ranging from cars to cattle.

Indonesia to ratify Pakistan trade deal to protect palm oil exports

Pakistan authorities have seized smuggled Indian and other Direct-To-Home (DTH) equipments worth Rs 7.83 crore from various markets in a nation-wide crack down against the illegal devices, revealed a report.

The report was submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday after it took up a suo motu case relating to easy availability of Indian DTH or magic box in the Pakistani market.

The DTH Satellite TV is the latest technology to deliver digital TV satellite service to households.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan was also told that 30 FIRs had been lodged during the crackdown and 39 people arrested by the Customs Department and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Dawn reported.

The report, which was furnished before the apex court through Additional Attorney General Nayyar Abbas Rizvi, said that the nationwide enforcement operations has ended the commercial sale and availability of smuggled DTH equipment in the local markets.

During the last hearing, the apex court had constituted a committee consisting of member (customs), the FIA's additional director general and a member of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to find out the source of smuggled goods and to take steps to curb the smuggling.

The report recalled that the Federal Board of Revenue has also enhanced enforcement measures adopted by the customs field formations which resulted in seizures of goods and other contraband items, including DTH equipment worth Rs24.8 billion during 2017-18.

However, the report conceded that mere enforcement measures would not be sufficient to completely root out the transportation or availability of DTH equipment used for illegal broadcasting of Indian content in the country. Therefore, a holistic strategy needs to be worked out by all agencies/regulators to address this issue.

The committee constituted by the apex court proposed measures like the PEMRA's suggestion to grant concessions from duty or taxes for the import of equipment and other accessories to successful bidders in the awarding of DTH licences&nbsp;a process which is in progress and likely to be completed soon.

In the absence of local DTH, the subscribers were opting for other illegal means, which include Indian DTH services, the report said.

PEMRA has also suggested a technological solution which can effectively disrupt the reception and rebroadcast of Indian content using smuggled DTH equipment or those imported through regular channels after modifications by the local vendors, the report said.

However, the report called for support from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for blocking the internet protocols addresses of the websites which were either running the illegal C-Line/CC-CAM or advertising the illegal Indian DTH in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan authorities have seized smuggled Indian and other Direct-To-Home (DTH) equipments worth Rs 7.83 crore from various markets in a nation-wide crack down against the illegal devices, revealed a report.

Pakistan authorities have seized smuggled Indian and other Direct-To-Home (DTH) equipments worth Rs 7.83 crore from various markets in a nation-wide crack down against the illegal devices, revealed a report. The report was submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday after it took up a suo motu case relating to easy availability of Indian DTH or magic box in the Pakistani market. The DTH Satellite TV is the latest technology to deliver digital TV satellite service to households. A two-judge bench headed by Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan was also told that 30 FIRs had been lodged during the crackdown and 39 people arrested by the Customs Department and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Dawn reported. The report, which was furnished before the apex court through Additional Attorney General Nayyar Abbas Rizvi, said that the nationwide enforcement operations has ended the commercial sale and availability of smuggled DTH equipment in the local markets. During the last hearing, the apex court had constituted a committee consisting of member (customs), the FIA's additional director general and a member of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to find out the source of smuggled goods and to take steps to curb the smuggling. The report recalled that the Federal Board of Revenue has also enhanced enforcement measures adopted by the customs field formations which resulted in seizures of goods and other contraband items, including DTH equipment worth Rs24.8 billion during 2017-18. However, the report conceded that mere enforcement measures would not be sufficient to completely root out the transportation or availability of DTH equipment used for illegal broadcasting of Indian content in the country. Therefore, a holistic strategy needs to be worked out by all agencies/regulators to address this issue. The committee constituted by the apex court proposed measures like the PEMRA's suggestion to grant concessions from duty or taxes for the import of equipment and other accessories to successful bidders in the awarding of DTH licences a process which is in progress and likely to be completed soon. In the absence of local DTH, the subscribers were opting for other illegal means, which include Indian DTH services, the report said. PEMRA has also suggested a technological solution which can effectively disrupt the reception and rebroadcast of Indian content using smuggled DTH equipment or those imported through regular channels after modifications by the local vendors, the report said. However, the report called for support from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for blocking the internet protocols addresses of the websites which were either running the illegal C-Line/CC-CAM or advertising the illegal Indian DTH in Pakistan.

Pak seizes Indian and other DTH worth Rs 7.83 crore in nation-wide crackdown

Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Tuesday sought a report from the central and federal governments over the damage caused to public and private property by the demonstrators during the nationwide protests against the verdict in the Asiya Bibi case last week.

According to a statement by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Justice Nisar took notice of the vandalism for the sake of compensating the affected citizens, Geo News reported.

On October 31, mass protests had erupted in various parts of Pakistan after the country's top court announced its verdict acquitting Asiya, a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. The demonstrations, led by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other religious parties, blocked roads and vandalised public and private property.

A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel had heard Asiya's 2014 appeal against her conviction and death sentence and overturned the ruling in favour of her.

Even after rejecting reports of putting Asiya on the Exit Control List (ECL), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government succumbed to pressure and reached an agreement with the TLP for taking legal actions to not allow Asiya and her family to leave the country.

Asiya was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam during an argument with three Muslim women.

The Pakistan government, however, decided to take action against miscreants involved in vandalism, torture and arson during the demonstrations, leading to a crackdown on rioters across the country.

On Monday, around 1,800 people were arrested by law enforcement agencies. Pakistan's Interior Ministry had said that the demonstrators were booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Tuesday sought a report from the central and federal governments over the damage caused to public and private property by the demonstrators during the nationwide protests against the verdict in the Asiya Bibi case last week.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Tuesday sought a report from the central and federal governments over the damage caused to public and private property by the demonstrators during the nationwide protests against the verdict in the Asiya Bibi case last week. According to a statement by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Justice Nisar took notice of the vandalism for the sake of compensating the affected citizens, Geo News reported. On October 31, mass protests had erupted in various parts of Pakistan after the country's top court announced its verdict acquitting Asiya, a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. The demonstrations, led by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other religious parties, blocked roads and vandalised public and private property. A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel had heard Asiya's 2014 appeal against her conviction and death sentence and overturned the ruling in favour of her. Even after rejecting reports of putting Asiya on the Exit Control List (ECL), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government succumbed to pressure and reached an agreement with the TLP for taking legal actions to not allow Asiya and her family to leave the country. Asiya was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam during an argument with three Muslim women. The Pakistan government, however, decided to take action against miscreants involved in vandalism, torture and arson during the demonstrations, leading to a crackdown on rioters across the country. On Monday, around 1,800 people were arrested by law enforcement agencies. Pakistan's Interior Ministry had said that the demonstrators were booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Asia Bibi verdict protests: Pakistan CJ seeks report on vandalism

The United Nations on Tuesday denied that it had forced the Pakistani lawyer of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy to leave the country.

Saif-ul-Malook fled to the Netherlands from Pakistan after violence erupted over the Pakistani Supreme Court's decision to overturn the conviction of Asia Bibi who was on death row.

"The UN in Pakistan extended its assistance to Mr. Malook at his request and did not force him to leave the country against his wishes, nor can the UN force someone to leave Pakistan against his or her will," said UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko.

At a news conference in The Hague on Monday, the lawyer said he was "put on a plane against my wishes" even though he had refused to leave the country without ensuring that his client was out of prison.

Malook said he contacted a UN official in Islamabad after the outbreak of clashes.

"And then they (the UN) and the European nation ambassadors in Islamabad, they kept me for three days and then put me on a plane against my wishes," he said.

Asia Bibi spent nearly a decade on death row after being accused of blasphemy following a dispute with fellow villagers over drinking from the same bowl of water. The charge is an inflammatory one in Muslim-majority Pakistan.

But she remains in Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan struck a deal with the Islamist hardliners behind the protests to bar her from leaving until a final court appeal is heard.

The lawyer had previously told AFP before his departure on Saturday that he was leaving because "in the current scenario, it's not possible for me to live in Pakistan".&nbsp;

The United Nations on Tuesday denied that it had forced the Pakistani lawyer of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy to leave the country. Saif-ul-Malook fled to the Netherlands from Pakistan after violence erupted over the Pakistani Supreme Court's decision to overturn the conviction of Asia Bibi who was on death row.

The United Nations on Tuesday denied that it had forced the Pakistani lawyer of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy to leave the country. Saif-ul-Malook fled to the Netherlands from Pakistan after violence erupted over the Pakistani Supreme Court's decision to overturn the conviction of Asia Bibi who was on death row. "The UN in Pakistan extended its assistance to Mr. Malook at his request and did not force him to leave the country against his wishes, nor can the UN force someone to leave Pakistan against his or her will," said UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko. At a news conference in The Hague on Monday, the lawyer said he was "put on a plane against my wishes" even though he had refused to leave the country without ensuring that his client was out of prison. Malook said he contacted a UN official in Islamabad after the outbreak of clashes. "And then they (the UN) and the European nation ambassadors in Islamabad, they kept me for three days and then put me on a plane against my wishes," he said. Asia Bibi spent nearly a decade on death row after being accused of blasphemy following a dispute with fellow villagers over drinking from the same bowl of water. The charge is an inflammatory one in Muslim-majority Pakistan. But she remains in Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan struck a deal with the Islamist hardliners behind the protests to bar her from leaving until a final court appeal is heard. The lawyer had previously told AFP before his departure on Saturday that he was leaving because "in the current scenario, it's not possible for me to live in Pakistan".

UN denies forcing Asia Bibi's lawyer to leave for Netherlands

Pakistan and Afghanistan officials on Wednesday held second meeting of the Refugee Working Group during which they discussed ways for dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The two sides held talks under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS) at the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) in Islamabad.&nbsp;

The Afghan delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister for Afghan Ministry of Refugee Affairs, Dr Alema, while Mohammad Aslam, Secretary, SAFRON led the Pakistan side.

Foreign Office said in a statement that the meeting discussed matters related to Afghan refugees and other Afghan nationals illegally residing in Pakistan.

"Both sides deliberated on the ways to enhance mutual cooperation for a dignified, gradual, time-bound and complete return of the Afghan nationals to their country," it said.&nbsp;

"It was also decided to observe the agreed timelines and procedures for repatriation of various categories of these persons to Afghanistan."

During the meeting, the two sides signed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for streamlining the working of the group among the two concerned Ministries on a regular basis, in future.&nbsp;

Next meeting of the APAPPS Working Group on Refugees will be held in Kabul

Pakistan and Afghanistan officials on Wednesday held second meeting of the Refugee Working Group during which they discussed ways for dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees.

Pakistan and Afghanistan officials on Wednesday held second meeting of the Refugee Working Group during which they discussed ways for dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees. The two sides held talks under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS) at the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) in Islamabad. The Afghan delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister for Afghan Ministry of Refugee Affairs, Dr Alema, while Mohammad Aslam, Secretary, SAFRON led the Pakistan side. Foreign Office said in a statement that the meeting discussed matters related to Afghan refugees and other Afghan nationals illegally residing in Pakistan. "Both sides deliberated on the ways to enhance mutual cooperation for a dignified, gradual, time-bound and complete return of the Afghan nationals to their country," it said. "It was also decided to observe the agreed timelines and procedures for repatriation of various categories of these persons to Afghanistan." During the meeting, the two sides signed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for streamlining the working of the group among the two concerned Ministries on a regular basis, in future. Next meeting of the APAPPS Working Group on Refugees will be held in Kabul

Pakistan, Afghanistan discuss ways to enhance cooperation for Afghan refugees' repatriation

The Pakistani finance minister's bullish comments declaring the end of an economic crisis have bolstered confidence ahead of crunch talks with the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday, but the country is still likely to need a bailout.

Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Tuesday that "Pakistan's immediate balance of payment crisis is over" without mentioning the talks with the IMF in Islamabad.

Umar's comments came after Prime Minister Imran Khan visited main allies Saudi Arabia and China last month.

Khan secured $6 billion in assistance from Riyadh while Beijing promised help cover a projected $12 billion shortfall in foreign exchange to service Pakistan's debt.

Pakistan's central bank chief is due to travel to China on Friday to discuss details of what Umar described as a pledge of "immediate money".

Analysts say the cash will give the economy breathing space and stabilise the rupee, which has fallen 25 per cent against the US&nbsp;dollar since December, but it will not solve Pakistan's balance of payments crisis and avert a second IMF bailout request since 2013, and its 13th IMF rescue since late the 1980s.

"They are going to the IMF because they have to get credit rating approval from the financial markets and that would not happen on the Saudi or Chinese money," Asad Sayeed, an economist at the Collective for Social Science Research, told Reuters.

Pakistani officials are concerned tough IMF conditions would hit growth in the short term, as the IMF is likely to push for reduced spending, further currency devaluations and an increase in interest rates, preventing Khan from fulfilling populist campaign pledges.

Khan's government has pledged to create an "Islamic welfare state" and help build 5 million homes for the poor in a nation where the illiteracy rate is more than 40 per cent.

Confidence boost

But the Saudi and Chinese help could put the government in a stronger position to negotiate better terms with the IMF, Saad Hashemy, chief economist for local brokerage Topline Securities, told Reuters.

"The statement by the finance minister is a big confidence booster for the economy," Hashemy said.

"What it falls short of is the exact details of the funding from the Chinese side," he added, speculating China may opt to defer payments on existing loans and buy more Pakistani imports.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing Beijing was "willing, in accordance with Pakistan's needs and with agreement by both sides, to provide what help we can for Pakistan's economic and social development".

Pakistani shares soared more than 3 per cent on the news of the Saudi loans, and were up another 1.5 per cent on Wednesday following Umar's comments.

Umar has said the country needs $12 billion for immediate economic relief, but Hashemy said a total figure of up to $16 billion was needed to build up reserves, and negotiating a package with the IMF was the "smart thing".

Pakistan's current account deficit widened 43 per cent to $18 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June, while the fiscal deficit has ballooned to 6.6 per cent of gross domestic product, problems analysts say will not go away following the latest injection of economic assistance.

"There are very deep-seated structural problems," Sayeed warned.

"If you just sit back ... and carry on as you always do, that's not good because you're going to land up precisely in a similar situation in a few years."

The Pakistani finance minister's bullish comments declaring the end of an economic crisis have bolstered confidence ahead of crunch talks with the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday, but the country is still likely to need a bailout.

The Pakistani finance minister's bullish comments declaring the end of an economic crisis have bolstered confidence ahead of crunch talks with the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday, but the country is still likely to need a bailout. Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Tuesday that "Pakistan's immediate balance of payment crisis is over" without mentioning the talks with the IMF in Islamabad. Umar's comments came after Prime Minister Imran Khan visited main allies Saudi Arabia and China last month. Khan secured $6 billion in assistance from Riyadh while Beijing promised help cover a projected $12 billion shortfall in foreign exchange to service Pakistan's debt. Pakistan's central bank chief is due to travel to China on Friday to discuss details of what Umar described as a pledge of "immediate money". Analysts say the cash will give the economy breathing space and stabilise the rupee, which has fallen 25 per cent against the US dollar since December, but it will not solve Pakistan's balance of payments crisis and avert a second IMF bailout request since 2013, and its 13th IMF rescue since late the 1980s. "They are going to the IMF because they have to get credit rating approval from the financial markets and that would not happen on the Saudi or Chinese money," Asad Sayeed, an economist at the Collective for Social Science Research, told Reuters. Pakistani officials are concerned tough IMF conditions would hit growth in the short term, as the IMF is likely to push for reduced spending, further currency devaluations and an increase in interest rates, preventing Khan from fulfilling populist campaign pledges. Khan's government has pledged to create an "Islamic welfare state" and help build 5 million homes for the poor in a nation where the illiteracy rate is more than 40 per cent. Confidence boost But the Saudi and Chinese help could put the government in a stronger position to negotiate better terms with the IMF, Saad Hashemy, chief economist for local brokerage Topline Securities, told Reuters. "The statement by the finance minister is a big confidence booster for the economy," Hashemy said. "What it falls short of is the exact details of the funding from the Chinese side," he added, speculating China may opt to defer payments on existing loans and buy more Pakistani imports. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing Beijing was "willing, in accordance with Pakistan's needs and with agreement by both sides, to provide what help we can for Pakistan's economic and social development". Pakistani shares soared more than 3 per cent on the news of the Saudi loans, and were up another 1.5 per cent on Wednesday following Umar's comments. Umar has said the country needs $12 billion for immediate economic relief, but Hashemy said a total figure of up to $16 billion was needed to build up reserves, and negotiating a package with the IMF was the "smart thing". Pakistan's current account deficit widened 43 per cent to $18 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June, while the fiscal deficit has ballooned to 6.6 per cent of gross domestic product, problems analysts say will not go away following the latest injection of economic assistance. "There are very deep-seated structural problems," Sayeed warned. "If you just sit back ... and carry on as you always do, that's not good because you're going to land up precisely in a similar situation in a few years."

Pakistan gets a boost of confidence but IMF bailout still on cards

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