Inzamam-ul-Haq, former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, was one of the best batsmen of his time.&nbsp;

However, the cricketer is more remembered by his fans for his tendency to either be run out or get his partner dismissed.&nbsp;

During his career, he was involved in many comical run-outs as the former star player got run out 40 times in ODI cricket.

And now in 2018, Inzamam's nephew Imam-ul-Haq seems to have inherited some of that infamous talent of his 'Mamu Jaan'.&nbsp;

In Pakistan’s tour match against Northamptonshire, Imam was involved in a comical run-out dismissal with Azhar Ali.

Imam tapped the ball to fine leg and took off running, but was watching the ball instead of his partner Azhar Ali, who, despite his best attempts to avoid a collision ended up barging into the batsman.&nbsp;

The result was Ali being run-out and Imam left standing at the non-striker's end.

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Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq running between the wickets against Northamptonshire. Video courtesy of Northants ccc <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NORTHAMPTONSHIREvPAKISTAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NORTHAMPTONSHIREvPAKISTAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/mBtISQChUJ">pic.twitter.com/mBtISQChUJ</a>
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The dismissal gave everyone a sense of 'Deja Vu' as they were reminded of the classic run-outs Inzamam was involved in during his cricketing days.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Pakistan eventually beat Northamptonshire by 9 wickets with Imam-ul-Haq unbeaten on 59.

The dismissal gave everyone a sense of 'deja vu'. Inzamam was run out 40 times in his ODI career

Inzamam-ul-Haq, former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, was one of the best batsmen of his time. However, the cricketer is more remembered by his fans for his tendency to either be run out or get his partner dismissed. During his career, he was involved in many comical run-outs as the former star player got run out 40 times in ODI cricket. And now in 2018, Inzamam's nephew Imam-ul-Haq seems to have inherited some of that infamous talent of his 'Mamu Jaan'. In Pakistan’s tour match against Northamptonshire, Imam was involved in a comical run-out dismissal with Azhar Ali. Imam tapped the ball to fine leg and took off running, but was watching the ball instead of his partner Azhar Ali, who, despite his best attempts to avoid a collision ended up barging into the batsman. The result was Ali being run-out and Imam left standing at the non-striker's end. Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq running between the wickets against Northamptonshire. Video courtesy of Northants ccc #Cricket #NORTHAMPTONSHIREvPAKISTAN pic.twitter.com/mBtISQChUJ — Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) May 7, 2018 × The dismissal gave everyone a sense of 'Deja Vu' as they were reminded of the classic run-outs Inzamam was involved in during his cricketing days. Pakistan eventually beat Northamptonshire by 9 wickets with Imam-ul-Haq unbeaten on 59.

Watch: Comedy of errors as Inzamam-ul-Haq's nephew Imam gets his partner run out

By: Manish Shukla

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is planning to free several Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists lodged in jails and train them to wage jihad in Jammu and Kashmir, according to intelligence agencies. 
 
The terrorists would be released on the condition that they wage 'holy war' in Kashmir valley, sources in the intelligence agencies said. 
 
As per the report, ISI has set up a new training camp in Nayali forest area in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and as many as 135 terrorists have been handed over to terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad for arms training; some of them are Pakistani Taliban. 
 
The latest intelligence input comes shortly after reports of terror threat on Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir valley, the home ministry had called a high-level meeting to review security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin in the month of June. 
 
"We have foolproof security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra. Precise intel input on terror groups helped us eliminate many terrorists in the valley," CRPF director general Rajeev Bhatnagar said. 
 
According to intelligence inputs, Pakistan now trusts JeM and LeT more than Hizbul Mujaheedin. 
 
As per the report, Lashkar-e-Toiba is focussing on recruiting cadres for the terror outfit and to provide for their training. It was involved in setting up a new communication system, utilise safe infiltration routes and launched a monthly online magazine called Wyeth to attract youth. For the operational purpose, LeT has broadly divided Jammu Kashmir state into four zone.

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The terrorists would be released on the condition that they wage 'holy war' in Kashmir valley, according to intelligence inputs.

By: Manish Shukla Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is planning to free several Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists lodged in jails and train them to wage jihad in Jammu and Kashmir, according to intelligence agencies. The terrorists would be released on the condition that they wage 'holy war' in Kashmir valley, sources in the intelligence agencies said. As per the report, ISI has set up a new training camp in Nayali forest area in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and as many as 135 terrorists have been handed over to terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad for arms training; some of them are Pakistani Taliban. The latest intelligence input comes shortly after reports of terror threat on Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir valley, the home ministry had called a high-level meeting to review security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin in the month of June. "We have foolproof security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra. Precise intel input on terror groups helped us eliminate many terrorists in the valley," CRPF director general Rajeev Bhatnagar said. According to intelligence inputs, Pakistan now trusts JeM and LeT more than Hizbul Mujaheedin. As per the report, Lashkar-e-Toiba is focussing on recruiting cadres for the terror outfit and to provide for their training. It was involved in setting up a new communication system, utilise safe infiltration routes and launched a monthly online magazine called Wyeth to attract youth. For the operational purpose, LeT has broadly divided Jammu Kashmir state into four zone.

Pakistan plans to free Taliban terrorists for jihad in Jammu and Kashmir: Report

Activists of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) resorted to violence and clashed with each other over a venue dispute for the rallies to be held on May 12.&nbsp;

The clashes took place in parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi yesterday after PPP and PTI both announced that they will be holding rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

Workers belonging to both parties engaged in aerial firing and pelting stones at one another late Monday evening. Police officials then took over after both parties ended up destroying properly and injuring others.&nbsp; 
About a dozen people were wounded as the two groups attacked each other. Of the inured, two, including one with a gunshot wound to his leg, were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

"They also destroyed camp offices of each other," Gulshan SP Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto said.

Two cars and several motorcycles were also set on fire by the workers while windows of other cars parked outside were shattered. Massive traffic jams were witnessed at University Road and its adjoining areas.

Both the parties have also written to the district commissioner for his permission to hold their rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground.

The clashes took place in parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi yesterday after PPP and PTI both announced that they will be holding rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqba

Activists of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) resorted to violence and clashed with each other over a venue dispute for the rallies to be held on May 12. The clashes took place in parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi yesterday after PPP and PTI both announced that they will be holding rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Workers belonging to both parties engaged in aerial firing and pelting stones at one another late Monday evening. Police officials then took over after both parties ended up destroying properly and injuring others. About a dozen people were wounded as the two groups attacked each other. Of the inured, two, including one with a gunshot wound to his leg, were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. "They also destroyed camp offices of each other," Gulshan SP Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto said. Two cars and several motorcycles were also set on fire by the workers while windows of other cars parked outside were shattered. Massive traffic jams were witnessed at University Road and its adjoining areas. Both the parties have also written to the district commissioner for his permission to hold their rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground.

PPP, PTI party workers clash in Pakistan's Karachi over rally venue dispute

The primary suspect,&nbsp;Abid Hussain,&nbsp;who was responsible for the assassination bid at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal,&nbsp;reportedly said that Iqbal was an "easy target" and "belonged to his area," reports said.&nbsp;

Abid fired a shot at Iqbal from a distance of 15 yards as he entered his vehicle to leave the rally venue tehsil Kanjrur. He was later arrested and is now on a 10-day physical remand. He also confessed that he had purchased a gun from a person for Rs 15,000.&nbsp;A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the arrested Abid.

The police have also arrested an accomplice, and have registered the FIR of the incident at Shah Ghareeb Police Station, reports said.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal underwent two successful consecutive surgeries on Monday after being shot in an apparent assassination bid by a religious fanatic during an election rally in Punjab province, as another suspect has been taken into custody.

Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by the bullet on his right shoulder in the attack on Sunday.

An official at the Services Hospital here said that the surgery was successful and Iqbal is recovering well.

"Iqbal is out of danger and recovering fast," he added.

Hussain belongs to the religious outfit - Tehreek-e-Labbaik Yarasoolallah Pakistan (TLYP), according to preliminary investigation.

"The suspect who opened fire on the interior minister belongs to the TLYP. We know the motive of this attack but I want to tell that this is a very dangerous game being played against the PML-N," Information Minister Marrium Aurengzeb said. Talking to reporters she said "this politics of hatred" should be stopped now.

A senior police officer said that the suspect told investigators that he opened fire on the minister to take revenge on the ruling PML-N for trying to delete the clause related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwat (the finality of Prophet Muhammad) from the Constitution.&nbsp;

The suspect, during questioning, told police that he received ‘orders’ to kill the interior minister in a dream and wrote down his thoughts in a diary over the past three or four months.

Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by the bullet on his right shoulder in the attack on Sunday

The primary suspect, Abid Hussain, who was responsible for the assassination bid at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, reportedly said that Iqbal was an "easy target" and "belonged to his area," reports said. Abid fired a shot at Iqbal from a distance of 15 yards as he entered his vehicle to leave the rally venue tehsil Kanjrur. He was later arrested and is now on a 10-day physical remand. He also confessed that he had purchased a gun from a person for Rs 15,000. A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the arrested Abid. The police have also arrested an accomplice, and have registered the FIR of the incident at Shah Ghareeb Police Station, reports said. Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal underwent two successful consecutive surgeries on Monday after being shot in an apparent assassination bid by a religious fanatic during an election rally in Punjab province, as another suspect has been taken into custody. Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by the bullet on his right shoulder in the attack on Sunday. An official at the Services Hospital here said that the surgery was successful and Iqbal is recovering well. "Iqbal is out of danger and recovering fast," he added. Hussain belongs to the religious outfit - Tehreek-e-Labbaik Yarasoolallah Pakistan (TLYP), according to preliminary investigation. "The suspect who opened fire on the interior minister belongs to the TLYP. We know the motive of this attack but I want to tell that this is a very dangerous game being played against the PML-N," Information Minister Marrium Aurengzeb said. Talking to reporters she said "this politics of hatred" should be stopped now. A senior police officer said that the suspect told investigators that he opened fire on the minister to take revenge on the ruling PML-N for trying to delete the clause related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwat (the finality of Prophet Muhammad) from the Constitution. The suspect, during questioning, told police that he received ‘orders’ to kill the interior minister in a dream and wrote down his thoughts in a diary over the past three or four months.

Pak Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was an 'easy target', says, primary suspect after assassination attempt

The gunman accused of shooting and wounding <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-interior-minister-ahsan-iqbal-was-an-easy-target-says-primary-suspect-after-assassination-attempt-135300">Pakistan's interior minister</a> is a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees its mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot on Sunday as he was leaving a constituency meeting surrounded by supporters in Punjab province.

He is in hospital and out of danger but the attack has shaken the political establishment ahead of a general election expected in July.

The suspected gunman, arrested at the scene, is Abid Hussain, 21, a youth leader of the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik party, police said in an interrogation report seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The party, known as Labaik, has made the emotive issue of blasphemy its rallying cry in a country where for years hardline Islamists have vied for power with civilian politicians and a coup-prone military.

Hussain told police he was inspired by the teachings of founders of the Labaik and joined a party blockade of the capital, Islamabad, in November aimed at forcing out a government minister they accused of blasphemy over a change to an oath-taking law.

According to police, Hussain said he had dreamt Ali Hajveri, an 11th century Muslim preacher revered in South Asia, "ordered me to kill Ahsan Iqbal".

Labaik denied that Hussain was a member of the party.

"We have nothing to do with him," spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi told Reuters.

But a founding member of Labaik, Pir Afzal Qadri, said Iqbal and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party had invited trouble by committing blasphemy when they changed an election law in a way some said weakened an oath declaring Mohammad the last true prophet.

"They have done so much wrong," Qadri said in a video message. "It is their fault, they themselves are responsible for this. These people are inviting attacks."

'Send them to Hell'

Iqbal's shooting has stoked fears of a repeat of the pre-election Islamist violence that has blighted polls before, including the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

It has also compounded unease about blasphemy.

Even accusations of blasphemy can lead to mob killings and those convicted of blasphemy face the death penalty, though no death sentences for it have been carried out.

Many clerics say even to suggest change to the blasphemy law is blasphemy.

In November, Labaik blocked a main road into the capital for several days over the small change to the election law. The government explained the change as a clerical error and reversed it. The minister responsible resigned.

Hussain joined the protests determined to "send any blasphemer to hell", police said in their report.

Seven people were killed and 200 wounded when police tried to clear the blockade.

Qadri said Iqbal, as interior minister, was responsible for the attack on him as he had ordered the police action.

"It is regrettable that the whole world is making hue and cry just because he got one bullet, and not a single arrest has so far been made in the martyrdom of the seven people," Qadri said.

Police said Hussain had cited the example of Mumtaz Qadri, a bodyguard of the governor of Punjab who gunned down the man he was meant to protect in 2011 over the governor's call for reform of the blasphemy law.

Qadri, who was convicted of murder, sentenced to death and executed in 2016, has become a martyr for hardliners, and Labaik emerged out of a movement that lionised him.

Hussain bought a pistol several months ago and later got hold of bullets, police said in the report.

Two days before the shooting, he got a WhatsApp message from a resident of the town where Iqbal was shot, telling him the minister was due.

Hours before the meeting, Hussain washed, put on smart clothes and went early to wait, police said.

"When Ahsan Iqbal came down from the stage and was encircled with party workers, Abid stood up and fired."

&nbsp;

The gunman accused of shooting and wounding Pakistan's interior minister is a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees it mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report

The gunman accused of shooting and wounding Pakistan's interior minister is a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees its mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot on Sunday as he was leaving a constituency meeting surrounded by supporters in Punjab province. He is in hospital and out of danger but the attack has shaken the political establishment ahead of a general election expected in July. The suspected gunman, arrested at the scene, is Abid Hussain, 21, a youth leader of the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik party, police said in an interrogation report seen by Reuters on Tuesday. The party, known as Labaik, has made the emotive issue of blasphemy its rallying cry in a country where for years hardline Islamists have vied for power with civilian politicians and a coup-prone military. Hussain told police he was inspired by the teachings of founders of the Labaik and joined a party blockade of the capital, Islamabad, in November aimed at forcing out a government minister they accused of blasphemy over a change to an oath-taking law. According to police, Hussain said he had dreamt Ali Hajveri, an 11th century Muslim preacher revered in South Asia, "ordered me to kill Ahsan Iqbal". Labaik denied that Hussain was a member of the party. "We have nothing to do with him," spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi told Reuters. But a founding member of Labaik, Pir Afzal Qadri, said Iqbal and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party had invited trouble by committing blasphemy when they changed an election law in a way some said weakened an oath declaring Mohammad the last true prophet. "They have done so much wrong," Qadri said in a video message. "It is their fault, they themselves are responsible for this. These people are inviting attacks." 'Send them to Hell' Iqbal's shooting has stoked fears of a repeat of the pre-election Islamist violence that has blighted polls before, including the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. It has also compounded unease about blasphemy. Even accusations of blasphemy can lead to mob killings and those convicted of blasphemy face the death penalty, though no death sentences for it have been carried out. Many clerics say even to suggest change to the blasphemy law is blasphemy. In November, Labaik blocked a main road into the capital for several days over the small change to the election law. The government explained the change as a clerical error and reversed it. The minister responsible resigned. Hussain joined the protests determined to "send any blasphemer to hell", police said in their report. Seven people were killed and 200 wounded when police tried to clear the blockade. Qadri said Iqbal, as interior minister, was responsible for the attack on him as he had ordered the police action. "It is regrettable that the whole world is making hue and cry just because he got one bullet, and not a single arrest has so far been made in the martyrdom of the seven people," Qadri said. Police said Hussain had cited the example of Mumtaz Qadri, a bodyguard of the governor of Punjab who gunned down the man he was meant to protect in 2011 over the governor's call for reform of the blasphemy law. Qadri, who was convicted of murder, sentenced to death and executed in 2016, has become a martyr for hardliners, and Labaik emerged out of a movement that lionised him. Hussain bought a pistol several months ago and later got hold of bullets, police said in the report. Two days before the shooting, he got a WhatsApp message from a resident of the town where Iqbal was shot, telling him the minister was due. Hours before the meeting, Hussain washed, put on smart clothes and went early to wait, police said. "When Ahsan Iqbal came down from the stage and was encircled with party workers, Abid stood up and fired."

Islamist group youth leader accused of shooting Pakistani minister: Police

Former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's recent comments in Pakistan are expected to spark off yet another round of heated discussion.

While addressing an event in Lahore, Aiyar — he was recently suspended from the Congress — said the first proponent of the two-nation theory was VD Savarkar, the ideological guru of India's Hindu right. He further said that the current situation in India is an "abhorrent one".

"Present situation in India is an aberration, In 1923 a man called VD Savarkar invented a word which does not exist in any religious text, 'Hindutva'. So first proponent of the two nation theory was the ideological guru of those who are currently in power in India," Aiyar said.&nbsp;

He also took a dig at the people protesting against the portrait of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in&nbsp;Aligarh Muslim University.&nbsp;

"I referred to Jinnah as the Quaid e Azam and the hysterical Indian TV anchors are demanding to know how an Indian can go to Pakistan and say this. I know many Pakistanis who called MK Gandhi as Mahatma Gandhi, does that make them unpatriotic Pakistanis?" Aiyar said.&nbsp;

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aiyar said&nbsp;that about 70 per cent of Indians did not vote for Modi in the 2014 elections.

"70 per cent of Indians didn't vote for Mr Modi in last elections but lost because they were completely factionated among themselves, it is my hope that a great number of this 70 per cent will come together to put an end to the aberration we've been suffering in our country," Aiyar said.&nbsp;

The veteran leader is no stranger to controversy. Aiyar recently said he receives more hatred in India than love in Pakistan.

Aiyar was suspended from the Congress party last year before the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;

He had referred to PM Modi as "neech".&nbsp;

He later said he had meant "low thinking" but Modi took Aiyar's comments to the Gujarat electorate, saying Aiyar had called him "low caste".&nbsp;

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Present situation in India is an aberration, In 1923 a man called VD Savarkar invented a word which doesn't exist in any religious text, 'Hindutva'. So first proponent of the two nation theory was ideological guru of those who are currently in power in India: MA Aiyar in Lahore <a href="https://t.co/2C0ovEPRBI">pic.twitter.com/2C0ovEPRBI</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/993478460881494018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The former Congress leader also referred to the current situation in India as an 'abhorrent one'

Former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's recent comments in Pakistan are expected to spark off yet another round of heated discussion. While addressing an event in Lahore, Aiyar — he was recently suspended from the Congress — said the first proponent of the two-nation theory was VD Savarkar, the ideological guru of India's Hindu right. He further said that the current situation in India is an "abhorrent one". "Present situation in India is an aberration, In 1923 a man called VD Savarkar invented a word which does not exist in any religious text, 'Hindutva'. So first proponent of the two nation theory was the ideological guru of those who are currently in power in India," Aiyar said. He also took a dig at the people protesting against the portrait of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Aligarh Muslim University. "I referred to Jinnah as the Quaid e Azam and the hysterical Indian TV anchors are demanding to know how an Indian can go to Pakistan and say this. I know many Pakistanis who called MK Gandhi as Mahatma Gandhi, does that make them unpatriotic Pakistanis?" Aiyar said. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aiyar said that about 70 per cent of Indians did not vote for Modi in the 2014 elections. "70 per cent of Indians didn't vote for Mr Modi in last elections but lost because they were completely factionated among themselves, it is my hope that a great number of this 70 per cent will come together to put an end to the aberration we've been suffering in our country," Aiyar said. The veteran leader is no stranger to controversy. Aiyar recently said he receives more hatred in India than love in Pakistan. Aiyar was suspended from the Congress party last year before the Gujarat elections. He had referred to PM Modi as "neech". He later said he had meant "low thinking" but Modi took Aiyar's comments to the Gujarat electorate, saying Aiyar had called him "low caste". Present situation in India is an aberration, In 1923 a man called VD Savarkar invented a word which doesn't exist in any religious text, 'Hindutva'. So first proponent of the two nation theory was ideological guru of those who are currently in power in India: MA Aiyar in Lahore pic.twitter.com/2C0ovEPRBI — ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2018 ×

First proponent of two-nation theory was Savarkar: Mani Shankar Aiyar in Pakistan

Looks like there is going to be a lot of representation from South Asia at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Sonam Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai are regular faces at the Cannes red carpet every year but this year Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will also join a bevvy of stars at the French Riviera.&nbsp; 
 
The actor, who was named the first Pakistani brand ambassador for make-up giant L`Oreal last year, took to Instagram to share the news, Geo News reported.

Mahira shared a photograph of Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1977 Cannes and captioned it: "Cannes 2018, Let`s do this!" The actress though later deleted the image.&nbsp;

Pakistani fashion designer Hassaan Khan congratulated Mahira and wrote, "Couldn't be more proud to have a sister who continues to open doors for future generations of Pakistan women. To make them believe they can achieve anything they want if they truly believe and love what they do. 'When they go low, we go high' @TheMahiraKhan #Cannes2018 #girlpower"

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Couldn't be more proud to have a sister who continues to open doors for future generations of Pakistan women. To make them believe they can achieve anything they want if they truly believe and love what they do. 'When they go low, we go high' <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMahiraKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheMahiraKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cannes2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cannes2018</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/girlpower?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#girlpower</a>
— HK (@HassaanKahn) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassaanKahn/status/992390277317963776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She also took to Twitter and wrote: "My name is Cannes and I`m not a..."

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My name is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cannes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cannes</a> and I’m not a ) ❣️ <a href="https://t.co/LQSWMClcR6">https://t.co/LQSWMClcR6</a>
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMahiraKhan/status/992380211282022406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Other celebrities attending the Cannes this year to represent L`Oreal Paris are Julianne Moore, Jane Fonda, Eva Longoria as well as Bollywood stars <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-cannes-2018-this-is-when-aishwarya-deepika-sonam-kangana-will-be-walking-the-red-carpet--133955">Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor.</a>

Indian actress <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-kangana-ranaut-to-debut-at-cannes-red-carpet-132755">Kangana Ranaut is also reported to be gearing up for her debut at Cannes </a>this year.

The 71st annual Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to be held from May 8 to May 19.

The actress shared the news on her social media pages.

Looks like there is going to be a lot of representation from South Asia at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Sonam Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai are regular faces at the Cannes red carpet every year but this year Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will also join a bevvy of stars at the French Riviera. The actor, who was named the first Pakistani brand ambassador for make-up giant L`Oreal last year, took to Instagram to share the news, Geo News reported. Mahira shared a photograph of Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1977 Cannes and captioned it: "Cannes 2018, Let`s do this!" The actress though later deleted the image. Pakistani fashion designer Hassaan Khan congratulated Mahira and wrote, "Couldn't be more proud to have a sister who continues to open doors for future generations of Pakistan women. To make them believe they can achieve anything they want if they truly believe and love what they do. 'When they go low, we go high' @TheMahiraKhan #Cannes2018 #girlpower" Couldn't be more proud to have a sister who continues to open doors for future generations of Pakistan women. To make them believe they can achieve anything they want if they truly believe and love what they do. 'When they go low, we go high' @TheMahiraKhan #Cannes2018 #girlpower — HK (@HassaanKahn) May 4, 2018 × She also took to Twitter and wrote: "My name is Cannes and I`m not a..." My name is #Cannes and I’m not a ) ❣️ https://t.co/LQSWMClcR6 — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) May 4, 2018 × Other celebrities attending the Cannes this year to represent L`Oreal Paris are Julianne Moore, Jane Fonda, Eva Longoria as well as Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor. Indian actress Kangana Ranaut is also reported to be gearing up for her debut at Cannes this year. The 71st annual Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to be held from May 8 to May 19.

Mahira Khan to make her debut at Cannes this year

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that he plans to challenge the disqualification verdict for him, while addressing a rally in &nbspMansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp

"This law, this decision [to disqualify] would have to be taken to the assembly and changed. For that, I will need your vote," The Dawn reported Nawaz, as saying.

Sharif and former general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Jahangir Khan Tareen were disqualified last month by Pakistan's Supreme Court from contesting elections for the rest of their lives.&nbsp

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar, gave the unanimous verdict on several identical petitions pertaining to the duration of disqualification of a politician under Article 62(1)(f) of the Pakistan Constitution, reported Samaa TV.

The Article 62(1)(f) reads, "A person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest and righteous, there being no declaration to the contrary by a court of law."

On Sunday, the PTI chief, who seeks to become Pakistan's next prime minister, launched his party's campaign for the July elections

Meanwhile, condemning the disqualification of former Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the country which does not respect its politicians can never progress.

Abbasi while addressing a ceremony in Pakistan's Pasrur said that politicians must get the same amount of respect as judges, generals, and government officials.

Sharif and former general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Jahangir Khan Tareen were disqualified last month by Pakistan's Supreme Court from contesting elections for the rest of their lives

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that he plans to challenge the disqualification verdict for him, while addressing a rally in &nbspMansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "This law, this decision [to disqualify] would have to be taken to the assembly and changed. For that, I will need your vote," The Dawn reported Nawaz, as saying. Sharif and former general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Jahangir Khan Tareen were disqualified last month by Pakistan's Supreme Court from contesting elections for the rest of their lives. A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar, gave the unanimous verdict on several identical petitions pertaining to the duration of disqualification of a politician under Article 62(1)(f) of the Pakistan Constitution, reported Samaa TV. The Article 62(1)(f) reads, "A person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest and righteous, there being no declaration to the contrary by a court of law." On Sunday, the PTI chief, who seeks to become Pakistan's next prime minister, launched his party's campaign for the July elections Meanwhile, condemning the disqualification of former Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the country which does not respect its politicians can never progress. Abbasi while addressing a ceremony in Pakistan's Pasrur said that politicians must get the same amount of respect as judges, generals, and government officials.

Will challenge disqualification verdict: Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa suggested ways of achieving peace and prosperity in Pakistan through military cooperations with India, as per reports by UK-based think-tank Royal Unites Services Institute (RUSI).&nbsp;

As per the report, General Bajwa had recently invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian military attache, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March.&nbsp;

After two weeks, General Bajwa reportedly said that he wanted peace and dialogue with India. Bajwa while addressing a passing-out parade of cadets said, "That only through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue a solution could be found for the disputes between the two countries", as quoted by European think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS).

This came following Indian army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement of April 15 saying that peace is the only solution to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and it could be ensured through a dialogue between India and Pakistan.

He said that Islamabad “remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.”

The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Bajwa had said earlier.

Moreover, the report further mentioned that that senior Pakistani officer Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz headed the first ever high-level contact group with India as Director-General Military Operations.

The report added that another top officer, Major General Ahmed Hayat, the Director General of analysis wing of the Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI), authored the so-called "India Plan" in 2013, which tried to ascertain how and when Pakistan should approach India, suggesting that Pakistan military would approach India after Islamabad strengthened it defence diplomacy without pressure or threats from Washington DC.

"It is a no-brainer that one cannot live in an environment of perpetual enmity with a neighbour six times your size, but the indicators have to be right," he said.

The report further said that with a sustained approach by the Pakistan military to India, it could only be a matter of time before New Delhi agrees to at least talk to Islamabad for improving relations and pressing for peace and stability.&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)

As per the report, General Bajwa had recently invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian military attache, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa suggested ways of achieving peace and prosperity in Pakistan through military cooperations with India, as per reports by UK-based think-tank Royal Unites Services Institute (RUSI). As per the report, General Bajwa had recently invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian military attache, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March. After two weeks, General Bajwa reportedly said that he wanted peace and dialogue with India. Bajwa while addressing a passing-out parade of cadets said, "That only through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue a solution could be found for the disputes between the two countries", as quoted by European think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS). This came following Indian army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement of April 15 saying that peace is the only solution to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and it could be ensured through a dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said that Islamabad “remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.” The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Bajwa had said earlier. Moreover, the report further mentioned that that senior Pakistani officer Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz headed the first ever high-level contact group with India as Director-General Military Operations. The report added that another top officer, Major General Ahmed Hayat, the Director General of analysis wing of the Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI), authored the so-called "India Plan" in 2013, which tried to ascertain how and when Pakistan should approach India, suggesting that Pakistan military would approach India after Islamabad strengthened it defence diplomacy without pressure or threats from Washington DC. "It is a no-brainer that one cannot live in an environment of perpetual enmity with a neighbour six times your size, but the indicators have to be right," he said. The report further said that with a sustained approach by the Pakistan military to India, it could only be a matter of time before New Delhi agrees to at least talk to Islamabad for improving relations and pressing for peace and stability. (With ANI inputs)

Pakistan can achieve peace and prosperity through military talks with India: General Bajwa

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was on Sunday shot at and in a suspected assassination bid after he addressed a rally in Punjab province, news agency PTI reported quoting police.

Iqbal, 59, suffered a bullet injury on his right shoulder following the incident.&nbsp;

He was attending a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur Tehsil when the incident occurred, the police was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

According to reports, he&nbsp;was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.&nbsp;

Family sources confirmed that the interior minister is being shifted to Lahore.

The suspect has reportedly been taken into custody, according to police.

District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said that the attacker used a 30-bore pistol to fire at Iqbal from a distance of around 18 metres.

"One of the shooters has been arrested and (is) being interrogated by the police," Punjab government said in a Twitter message.

Confirming the incident, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tallal Chaudhry said Iqbal was out of danger. The arrested suspect is 20-22 years old, he added.

Corner meetings become common as elections come close with politicians interacting with supporters and common people.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Iqbal, 59, sustained a bullet wound on his right shoulder.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was on Sunday shot at and in a suspected assassination bid after he addressed a rally in Punjab province, news agency PTI reported quoting police. Iqbal, 59, suffered a bullet injury on his right shoulder following the incident. He was attending a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur Tehsil when the incident occurred, the police was quoted as saying by Dawn News. According to reports, he was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital. Family sources confirmed that the interior minister is being shifted to Lahore. The suspect has reportedly been taken into custody, according to police. District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said that the attacker used a 30-bore pistol to fire at Iqbal from a distance of around 18 metres. "One of the shooters has been arrested and (is) being interrogated by the police," Punjab government said in a Twitter message. Confirming the incident, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tallal Chaudhry said Iqbal was out of danger. The arrested suspect is 20-22 years old, he added. Corner meetings become common as elections come close with politicians interacting with supporters and common people. (With PTI inputs)

Pakistan interior minister shot at in suspected assassination bid: Police

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday confirmed the death sentence of 11 hardcore terrorists, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Three other convicts were also awarded imprisonment.

The terrorists had been a part of heinous offences related to terrorism, including attacks on law enforcement agencies and armed forces of Pakistan, Malakand University, and killing of innocent civilians including Imran Khan Mohmind, a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, the ISPR said.

Out of them, three terrorists identified as Burhanuddin, Shaheer Khan and Gul Faraz Khan were convicted of attacking a funeral ceremony in Zargrano Killi, Sher Ghar, Mardan, which resulted in the death of 30 civilians including Imran Khan Mohmind, member of KP Assembly, and injuries to 100 others These convicts admitted their offences before the magistrate and the trial court. All convicts were awarded death sentences, reports said.

The killed 60 included, "36 civilians, 24 Armed Forces/Frontier Constabulary/ Police Officials and injuring 142 others," according to a statement issued by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

All 14 convicts, who were members of banned organisations, admitted their offences were awarded death sentences.

The trials are closed to the public but defendants are allowed to hire lawyers, according to the reports.

Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. 
&nbsp;

All 14 convicts, who were members of banned organisations, admitted their offences were awarded death sentences

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday confirmed the death sentence of 11 hardcore terrorists, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Three other convicts were also awarded imprisonment. The terrorists had been a part of heinous offences related to terrorism, including attacks on law enforcement agencies and armed forces of Pakistan, Malakand University, and killing of innocent civilians including Imran Khan Mohmind, a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, the ISPR said. Out of them, three terrorists identified as Burhanuddin, Shaheer Khan and Gul Faraz Khan were convicted of attacking a funeral ceremony in Zargrano Killi, Sher Ghar, Mardan, which resulted in the death of 30 civilians including Imran Khan Mohmind, member of KP Assembly, and injuries to 100 others These convicts admitted their offences before the magistrate and the trial court. All convicts were awarded death sentences, reports said. The killed 60 included, "36 civilians, 24 Armed Forces/Frontier Constabulary/ Police Officials and injuring 142 others," according to a statement issued by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). All 14 convicts, who were members of banned organisations, admitted their offences were awarded death sentences. The trials are closed to the public but defendants are allowed to hire lawyers, according to the reports. Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession.

Pakistan Army Chief confirms death sentences for 11 'hardcore terrorists'

Five women came forward in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, accusing five men — belonging to the same family — of marrying them after luring them under a false pretence of taking them to the United Kingdom, Pak media reported.

According to The Nation, victims spilt the beans on marriage scams being run in Pakistan's Mirpur where accused British nationals woo girls into marriage promising a great life abroad.

The victims' families were also duped by these British-Pakistani nationals, as revealed at a recent press conference held at the Kashmir Press Club in Mirpur.

According to those addressing the press conference, an entire gang of British-Pakistani nationals led by Mumtaz, also known as 'Taja Pehlwan', targetted young girls, especially in Mirpur. Mumtaz himself developed intimate relationships with some of these girls, assuring them good life abroad if they married him.

At least 20 girls were reportedly targeted by this group. The men used to marry them and then shoot intimate videos of their wedding nights. Later, these girls were threatened by their respective spouses with the release of these videos online.

Some of these Pakistani men even refused to take their wives abroad and would have several wives at a time and if any of them sought divorce, they would be charged with false cases of theft. &nbsp;

This way, Mumtaz managed to marry seven girls, Anzar married five and Muhammad married three. Two of Mumtaz's family members were also involved in this marriage scam.

The girls, after a long period of torture and sexual abuse, finally came out in open and narrated their ordeal at the press conference.

The accused are currently absconding. Victims also revealed that Mumtaz is heading a drug-peddling gang with the support of his nephews Muhammad Ali and Anzar Ali.

The girls said they were forced to participate in illegal drug operations too and urged parents to be careful about such human trafficking attempts.

(With inputs from ANI)

Scores of young Pakistani girls have revealed their horrific tale as to how they were lured into marrying British-Pakistani nationals, who later blackmailed them by shooting videos of their first wedding night.

Five women came forward in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, accusing five men — belonging to the same family — of marrying them after luring them under a false pretence of taking them to the United Kingdom, Pak media reported. According to The Nation, victims spilt the beans on marriage scams being run in Pakistan's Mirpur where accused British nationals woo girls into marriage promising a great life abroad. The victims' families were also duped by these British-Pakistani nationals, as revealed at a recent press conference held at the Kashmir Press Club in Mirpur. According to those addressing the press conference, an entire gang of British-Pakistani nationals led by Mumtaz, also known as 'Taja Pehlwan', targetted young girls, especially in Mirpur. Mumtaz himself developed intimate relationships with some of these girls, assuring them good life abroad if they married him. At least 20 girls were reportedly targeted by this group. The men used to marry them and then shoot intimate videos of their wedding nights. Later, these girls were threatened by their respective spouses with the release of these videos online. Some of these Pakistani men even refused to take their wives abroad and would have several wives at a time and if any of them sought divorce, they would be charged with false cases of theft. This way, Mumtaz managed to marry seven girls, Anzar married five and Muhammad married three. Two of Mumtaz's family members were also involved in this marriage scam. The girls, after a long period of torture and sexual abuse, finally came out in open and narrated their ordeal at the press conference. The accused are currently absconding. Victims also revealed that Mumtaz is heading a drug-peddling gang with the support of his nephews Muhammad Ali and Anzar Ali. The girls said they were forced to participate in illegal drug operations too and urged parents to be careful about such human trafficking attempts. (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan: Husbands shot nude videos,  Kashmiri brides allege 'marriage racket'

Scores of young Pakistani girls have revealed their horrific tale as to how they were lured into marrying British-Pakistani nationals, who later blackmailed them by shooting videos of their first wedding night.

According to The Nation, victims spilt the beans about such marriage scams being run in areas like Pakistan's Mirpur where accused British nationals woo girls into considering marriage to them on promises of having a great life abroad.

The victims' families were also duped by these fraudsters, as revealed at a recent press conference held at the Kashmir Press Club in Mirpur.

According to those addressing the press conference, an entire gang of British-Pakistani nationals led by Mumtaz also known as 'Taja Pehlwan' targetted young girls, especially in Mirpur. Mumtaz himself developed intimate relationships with some of these girls, assuring them of a good life abroad if they married him.

More than 15 girls were reportedly targeted by this group. The men used to marry them and then shoot intimate videos of their wedding nights. Later, these girls were threatened by their respective spouses with release of these videos online.

Some of these Pakistani men even refused to take their wives abroad and would have several wives at any given point of time and, if any of them sought divorce, they would be charged with false cases of theft.

This way, Mumtaz managed to marry seven girls, Anzar five and Muhammad three. Two of Mumtaz's family members were also involved in this marriage-scam.

The girls after long periods of torture and sexual abuse were finally able to narrate their ordeal at the press conference.

The accused are currently absconding. Victims also revealed that Mumtaz is heading a drug-peddling gang with the support of his nephews Muhammad Ali and Anzar Ali.

The girls said they were forced to participate in illegal drug operations too and asked parents to be vigilant about such human trafficking attempts.&nbsp

Victims spilt the beans about such marriage scams being run in areas like Pakistan's Mirpur where accused British nationals woo girls into considering marriage to them on promises of having a great life abroad.

Scores of young Pakistani girls have revealed their horrific tale as to how they were lured into marrying British-Pakistani nationals, who later blackmailed them by shooting videos of their first wedding night. According to The Nation, victims spilt the beans about such marriage scams being run in areas like Pakistan's Mirpur where accused British nationals woo girls into considering marriage to them on promises of having a great life abroad. The victims' families were also duped by these fraudsters, as revealed at a recent press conference held at the Kashmir Press Club in Mirpur. According to those addressing the press conference, an entire gang of British-Pakistani nationals led by Mumtaz also known as 'Taja Pehlwan' targetted young girls, especially in Mirpur. Mumtaz himself developed intimate relationships with some of these girls, assuring them of a good life abroad if they married him. More than 15 girls were reportedly targeted by this group. The men used to marry them and then shoot intimate videos of their wedding nights. Later, these girls were threatened by their respective spouses with release of these videos online. Some of these Pakistani men even refused to take their wives abroad and would have several wives at any given point of time and, if any of them sought divorce, they would be charged with false cases of theft. This way, Mumtaz managed to marry seven girls, Anzar five and Muhammad three. Two of Mumtaz's family members were also involved in this marriage-scam. The girls after long periods of torture and sexual abuse were finally able to narrate their ordeal at the press conference. The accused are currently absconding. Victims also revealed that Mumtaz is heading a drug-peddling gang with the support of his nephews Muhammad Ali and Anzar Ali. The girls said they were forced to participate in illegal drug operations too and asked parents to be vigilant about such human trafficking attempts.

Marriage racket run by UK-based Pakistanis busted

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the upcoming general elections would be conducted by "aliens", triggering a sharp reaction from the Election Commission which advised him to stay away from making "irresponsible statements", according to a media report.

The remarks indicate that the government is not expecting the upcoming elections to be transparent. The term 'aliens' has probably been coined for the first time in place of 'angels' and 'invisible forces' used in the past, Pak News reported.

Abbasi's words about "aliens holding election" echoed the remarks made by ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif two days ago: "Our contest is not with Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan but with the aliens".

"Elections will be held by aliens, but even then we [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] will participate in it," the prime minister said in an informal chat with journalists during a reception hosted by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for members of the lower house.

His comments drew a sharp reaction from the Election Commission.

ECP spokesman Altaf Khan said that the commission was fully prepared to hold the elections in line with its mandate under Article 218 of the Constitution. Under the Constitution and the Elections Act 2017, the ECP was fully independent in discharge of its legal and constitutional duties, he added.

Khan said people occupying important office should desist from making such "irresponsible statements", adding that such statements were merely based on assumptions and rumours and amounted to ridiculing the Constitution, the report said.

The remarks indicate that the government is not expecting the upcoming elections to be transparent. The term 'aliens' has probably been coined for the first time in place of 'angels' and 'invisible forces' used in the past, Pak News reported

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the upcoming general elections would be conducted by "aliens", triggering a sharp reaction from the Election Commission which advised him to stay away from making "irresponsible statements", according to a media report. The remarks indicate that the government is not expecting the upcoming elections to be transparent. The term 'aliens' has probably been coined for the first time in place of 'angels' and 'invisible forces' used in the past, Pak News reported. Abbasi's words about "aliens holding election" echoed the remarks made by ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif two days ago: "Our contest is not with Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan but with the aliens". "Elections will be held by aliens, but even then we [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] will participate in it," the prime minister said in an informal chat with journalists during a reception hosted by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for members of the lower house. His comments drew a sharp reaction from the Election Commission. ECP spokesman Altaf Khan said that the commission was fully prepared to hold the elections in line with its mandate under Article 218 of the Constitution. Under the Constitution and the Elections Act 2017, the ECP was fully independent in discharge of its legal and constitutional duties, he added. Khan said people occupying important office should desist from making such "irresponsible statements", adding that such statements were merely based on assumptions and rumours and amounted to ridiculing the Constitution, the report said.

Pakistan prime minister says polls will be conducted by aliens

A group of Sikh hardliners held a protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva to demand the release of Sikh militants arrested in India.

The protest was held at the behest of Pakistan and was planned by the Sikh Federation (UK), an organization that acts as a sympathizer of a separatist movement in India.

These Sikhs who migrated to UK and other parts of Europe decades ago, have a history of being involved in some or the other terrorist activity in India.

The protesters put up banners near the Broken Chair to show their support to terrorists, including Harminder Singh Mintoo, the chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who recently died of heart attack in the Nabha Jail in Punjab.

As per the police files, Mintoo had the backing of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, which had been providing him with logistics to carry out terror activities in Punjab.

He had over ten terrorism-related cases in Punjab and other places against his name.

Sikh protesters in Geneva also demanded the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist, who was arrested last year for his alleged connection with a spate of targeted killings of Hindu leaders, including Jagdish Gangneja in 2016, Ravinder Gosain in October 2017 and pastor Sultan Masih in July 2017.

Police are of the view that Johal is behind these murders and was also providing funds and arranging arms for the Khalistan Liberation Force.

The posters outside the UN also include the name of Jagtar Singh Tara, the mastermind behind the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who is now in police custody.

Two other accused -- Gurpreet Singh Gurdaspur and Gurdev Singh Jajja - have been deported from Thailand on various charges in the recent past.

Pakistan is making an all-out effort to revive the Khalistan Movement in Punjab by providing logistic and financial support to separatists settled in UK, Canada, the United States and Europe.

These Sikhs who migrated to UK and other parts of Europe decades ago, have a history of being involved in some or the other terrorist activity in India

A group of Sikh hardliners held a protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva to demand the release of Sikh militants arrested in India. The protest was held at the behest of Pakistan and was planned by the Sikh Federation (UK), an organization that acts as a sympathizer of a separatist movement in India. These Sikhs who migrated to UK and other parts of Europe decades ago, have a history of being involved in some or the other terrorist activity in India. The protesters put up banners near the Broken Chair to show their support to terrorists, including Harminder Singh Mintoo, the chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who recently died of heart attack in the Nabha Jail in Punjab. As per the police files, Mintoo had the backing of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, which had been providing him with logistics to carry out terror activities in Punjab. He had over ten terrorism-related cases in Punjab and other places against his name. Sikh protesters in Geneva also demanded the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist, who was arrested last year for his alleged connection with a spate of targeted killings of Hindu leaders, including Jagdish Gangneja in 2016, Ravinder Gosain in October 2017 and pastor Sultan Masih in July 2017. Police are of the view that Johal is behind these murders and was also providing funds and arranging arms for the Khalistan Liberation Force. The posters outside the UN also include the name of Jagtar Singh Tara, the mastermind behind the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who is now in police custody. Two other accused -- Gurpreet Singh Gurdaspur and Gurdev Singh Jajja - have been deported from Thailand on various charges in the recent past. Pakistan is making an all-out effort to revive the Khalistan Movement in Punjab by providing logistic and financial support to separatists settled in UK, Canada, the United States and Europe.

Pakistan-backed Khalistani activists hold anti-India protest outside UN

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has directed its cadres to step up and intensify its ' Jihad ' in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering at its Markaz known as Beteha Masjid in Karachi city, JeM commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar claimed responsibility for the April 26 grenade attack in the Tral township of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rauf said in his speech, "During ongoing `Daura Tafseer', news of JeM cadres fighting at battlefronts (in J&K) was pouring in. On April 25 JeM cadres were engaged in fighting against the enemy and were killed the day after ( April 26). Their funeral processions were being carried out and meanwhile, another team of JeM launched attack to take avenge of killings of cadres on the previous day".

Such statements by JeM from Pakistan have exposed Islamabad's malicious designs in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rauf motivated cadres and told them not to forget the real motive for and behind `Jihad'. He said, "At the battlefront, there is no dearth of `Mujahideen', who have been waiting in queues to enter into J&K to kill the enemy.

The Jaish-e-Mohammed has been banned in Pakistan since 2002, but it continues to train terrorists in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and provides them weapons to create troubles in Jammu and Kashmir.

Having maintained close relations with the Taliban and al Qaeda, it has carried out several attacks primarily in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rauf has asked its cadres to mentally and physically ready to join cadres at battlefield. "The war of jihad' is entering into an extremely dangerous phase, where enemies would be trying to eliminate Mujahideen from well inside their own locations. Time is likely to come when mujahideen and others will have to take shelter in forests and plan strategy of survival".

From January to April this year, 55 terrorists have been killed by the security forces in the Kashmir valley. A majority of these terrorists were from Pakistan who crossed the border to create disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir.

On several occasion, India has accused Pakistan for sheltering terrorists and providing them open space to wage `jihad in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp

Addressing a gathering at its Markaz known as Beteha Masjid in Karachi city, JeM commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar claimed responsibility for the April 26 grenade attack in the Tral township of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has directed its cadres to step up and intensify its ' Jihad ' in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a gathering at its Markaz known as Beteha Masjid in Karachi city, JeM commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar claimed responsibility for the April 26 grenade attack in the Tral township of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Rauf said in his speech, "During ongoing `Daura Tafseer', news of JeM cadres fighting at battlefronts (in J&K) was pouring in. On April 25 JeM cadres were engaged in fighting against the enemy and were killed the day after ( April 26). Their funeral processions were being carried out and meanwhile, another team of JeM launched attack to take avenge of killings of cadres on the previous day". Such statements by JeM from Pakistan have exposed Islamabad's malicious designs in Jammu and Kashmir. Rauf motivated cadres and told them not to forget the real motive for and behind `Jihad'. He said, "At the battlefront, there is no dearth of `Mujahideen', who have been waiting in queues to enter into J&K to kill the enemy. The Jaish-e-Mohammed has been banned in Pakistan since 2002, but it continues to train terrorists in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and provides them weapons to create troubles in Jammu and Kashmir. Having maintained close relations with the Taliban and al Qaeda, it has carried out several attacks primarily in Jammu and Kashmir. Rauf has asked its cadres to mentally and physically ready to join cadres at battlefield. "The war of jihad' is entering into an extremely dangerous phase, where enemies would be trying to eliminate Mujahideen from well inside their own locations. Time is likely to come when mujahideen and others will have to take shelter in forests and plan strategy of survival". From January to April this year, 55 terrorists have been killed by the security forces in the Kashmir valley. A majority of these terrorists were from Pakistan who crossed the border to create disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir. On several occasion, India has accused Pakistan for sheltering terrorists and providing them open space to wage `jihad in the Kashmir Valley.

JeM directs its cadres to strengthen 'jihad' in Kashmir

A coal mine collapsed on Saturday in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, killing at least six people and injuring as many others.

The collapse apparently took place because of a gas explosion in the Marwar area near Quetta, an official said.

The bodies of the miners killed in the incident have been recovered but there are still miners trapped under the rubble, said Deputy Commissioner Quetta Farrukh Atique said.

"The collapse apparently took place because of a gas explosion and we are trying to rescue the trapped workers," he said.

The official said six miners who were injured in the collapse had been pulled out from the rubble and sent to a hospital for treatment.

The miners killed belonged to the same village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Shangla district, rescue officials said.

According to the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation (PCMLF), about 100 to 200 labourers die on average in coal mine accidents every year.

Last month, at least 11 miners died in mines' collapse in Darra Adam Khel and Jhelum.&nbsp;

The collapse apparently took place because of a gas explosion in the Marwar area near Quetta, an official said.

A coal mine collapsed on Saturday in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, killing at least six people and injuring as many others. The collapse apparently took place because of a gas explosion in the Marwar area near Quetta, an official said. The bodies of the miners killed in the incident have been recovered but there are still miners trapped under the rubble, said Deputy Commissioner Quetta Farrukh Atique said. "The collapse apparently took place because of a gas explosion and we are trying to rescue the trapped workers," he said. The official said six miners who were injured in the collapse had been pulled out from the rubble and sent to a hospital for treatment. The miners killed belonged to the same village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Shangla district, rescue officials said. According to the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation (PCMLF), about 100 to 200 labourers die on average in coal mine accidents every year. Last month, at least 11 miners died in mines' collapse in Darra Adam Khel and Jhelum.

Coal mine collapse kills 6 people in Pakistan

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday said Congress and Pakistan have amazing telepathy.

In a tweet, Shah said, "Congress and Pakistan have amazing telepathy. Yesterday Pakistan Government remembered Tipu Sultan, whose Jayanti Congress marks with fanfare and today Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar admires Jinnah. Be it Gujarat or Karnataka polls, I fail to understand why Congress involves Pakistan!"

Pakistan on Friday remembered 18th-century ruler Tipu Sultan on his 218th death anniversary.

"Revisiting an important & influential historical figure, Tiger of Mysore - Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary. Right from his early years, he was trained in the art of warfare & had a fascination for learning," tweeted the Pakistani Government.

Though the Pakistan government tweeted about the Mysore ruler on his death anniversary, it has also come at a time when Karnataka is set to witness elections in a week.

Popularly known as Tiger of Mysore, he has become a controversial figure in India, especially since 2015, when the BJP and the Congress engaged in a war of words over the birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu on November 10.

BJP considers the historical figure a `Muslim tyrant` and describes him as `anti-Hindu`, `anti-Karnataka` and `mass murderer`, while the Congress consider him as the first freedom fighter who fought against the British.

Pakistan`s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah is also in the news in India.

In Aligarh, some groups have protested against the portrait of Pakistan`s founder at the office of Aligarh Muslim University student union`s office.

The matter hit the headlines after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)`s Aligarh MP Satish Gautam questioned the portrait`s presence in the AMU student union office.

On Thursday, 28 students and 13 cops were injured in a clash which broke out between AMU students and the police.&nbsp

Pakistan on Friday remembered 18th-century ruler Tipu Sultan on his 218th death anniversary.

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday said Congress and Pakistan have amazing telepathy. In a tweet, Shah said, "Congress and Pakistan have amazing telepathy. Yesterday Pakistan Government remembered Tipu Sultan, whose Jayanti Congress marks with fanfare and today Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar admires Jinnah. Be it Gujarat or Karnataka polls, I fail to understand why Congress involves Pakistan!" Pakistan on Friday remembered 18th-century ruler Tipu Sultan on his 218th death anniversary. "Revisiting an important & influential historical figure, Tiger of Mysore - Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary. Right from his early years, he was trained in the art of warfare & had a fascination for learning," tweeted the Pakistani Government. Though the Pakistan government tweeted about the Mysore ruler on his death anniversary, it has also come at a time when Karnataka is set to witness elections in a week. Popularly known as Tiger of Mysore, he has become a controversial figure in India, especially since 2015, when the BJP and the Congress engaged in a war of words over the birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu on November 10. BJP considers the historical figure a `Muslim tyrant` and describes him as `anti-Hindu`, `anti-Karnataka` and `mass murderer`, while the Congress consider him as the first freedom fighter who fought against the British. Pakistan`s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah is also in the news in India. In Aligarh, some groups have protested against the portrait of Pakistan`s founder at the office of Aligarh Muslim University student union`s office. The matter hit the headlines after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)`s Aligarh MP Satish Gautam questioned the portrait`s presence in the AMU student union office. On Thursday, 28 students and 13 cops were injured in a clash which broke out between AMU students and the police.

Congress and Pakistan have amazing telepathy: Amit Shah

Ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) may forge an alliance with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections.

"Necessity is the mother of all inventions. There was a necessity in the Senate and if there is a necessity we will do it [form an alliance] and if not we are willing to sit in the opposition or form the government," Zardari said while addressing a gathering in Lahore, Geo TV reported.

Zardari who is the PPP co-chairman was addressing a gathering in Lahore on Friday, stating that his party had no qualms being a part of the opposition as well, adding that his party had been in rule earlier.

"They (PTI) haven't seen the Prime Minister House.They are in a hurry to get power," the PPP co-chairman added.

He also slammed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for weakening the country's democracy, " Nawaz turned into Prince Saleem and became our undoing."

The general elections in Pakistan are due to be held in the last week of July or first week of August.

Asif Zardari said that Nawaz Sharif has weakened democracy and it is vulnerable in these times.&nbsp;On Thursday, Nawaz Sharif had also claimed that he is not contesting against the PPP or PTI but ‘outside beings’.

The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections

Ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) may forge an alliance with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections. "Necessity is the mother of all inventions. There was a necessity in the Senate and if there is a necessity we will do it [form an alliance] and if not we are willing to sit in the opposition or form the government," Zardari said while addressing a gathering in Lahore, Geo TV reported. Zardari who is the PPP co-chairman was addressing a gathering in Lahore on Friday, stating that his party had no qualms being a part of the opposition as well, adding that his party had been in rule earlier. "They (PTI) haven't seen the Prime Minister House.They are in a hurry to get power," the PPP co-chairman added. He also slammed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for weakening the country's democracy, " Nawaz turned into Prince Saleem and became our undoing." The general elections in Pakistan are due to be held in the last week of July or first week of August. Asif Zardari said that Nawaz Sharif has weakened democracy and it is vulnerable in these times. On Thursday, Nawaz Sharif had also claimed that he is not contesting against the PPP or PTI but ‘outside beings’.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari may ally with Imran Khan's PTI for Pakistan elections

Three security personnel were injured today in an IED blast in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region, officials said.

The security personnel were on a patrol duty when their vehicle hit the improvised explosive device (IED) in Jani Khel area of Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, they said.

According to the officials, the IED was being operated by the militants through a remote control device.

The injured were hospitalised.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and initiated the operation to trace the attackers, the officials said.

According to the officials, the IED was being operated by the militants through a remote control device.

Three security personnel were injured today in an IED blast in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region, officials said. The security personnel were on a patrol duty when their vehicle hit the improvised explosive device (IED) in Jani Khel area of Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, they said. According to the officials, the IED was being operated by the militants through a remote control device. The injured were hospitalised. Security forces have cordoned off the area and initiated the operation to trace the attackers, the officials said.

3 security personnel injured in IED explosion in Pakistan

Pakistan has raked up the issue of alleged human rights violation in Kashmir at the UN's Committee on Information to which India raised strong objection, saying it was irrelevant to the work of the panel.

Pakistan's delegate Masood Anwar, addressing a session of Committee on Information yesterday, raised the issue of Kashmir alleging that human rights violations are taking place against the people of Kashmir.&nbsp

"The world we live today is marred with conflict and strife while we maintain unity in fighting terrorism and extremism. Countering the narrative of this twisted ideologies is imperative,"Anwar said during a General Debate on Committee on Information.

He said the UN's Department of Public Information (DPI) can play an important role in defusing tensions and promoting interfaith harmony.

"Human rights violations, in particular, are a matter of serious concern to the international community," he said.&nbsp

He urged DPI to highlight situations where "grave violations of human rights are taking place", especially against the Rohingya, Kashmiris and Palestinians.&nbsp

India strongly rejected Anwar's reference to Kashmir, saying his remarks are irrelevant to the work of the Committee.

"We have seen another attempt here today to make reference to issues extraneous to the agenda of the Committee. We completely reject these remarks as they have no relevance to the work of the Committee," S Srinivas Prasad, Minister in the Indian Mission to the UN, said during the session.

In his statement, Prasad said India supports the DPI's work on counter-terrorism. ?India is opposed to all forms of terrorism and believes that effective cooperation among countries is necessary to combat the threat," he said.&nbsp

He referred to the production of the documentary "Surviving Terrorism: Victim's voices' on the survivors of the Norway terror attack of 2011, saying civilians affected by terrorism is an "untold story" and hoped that the DPI will pick up more such stories from terrorist violence affected countries.&nbsp

He, however, voiced concern over declining financial resources that have presented a serious constraint on the ability of the DPI to carry out its mandated tasks especially in non-official languages. DPI needs to look at innovative ways to raise resources beyond the regular budgetary allocations, including through voluntary contributions to continue and expand its global outreach activities, especially in the widely-spoken non-official languages, he said.

Prasad voiced appreciation over expansion in the number of languages in which UN guided tours are offered. He pointed out that guided tours of the world body have been very popular with Indian tourists in the city, urging the addition of a guided tour in Hindi to facilitate Indian tourists.&nbsp

Prasad also noted that the Department facilitated the on-location filming of Bollywood film 'Padman' at the United Nations headquarters in November 2017.&nbsp

Akshay Kumar-starrer Padman was the second movie after 'Half Girlfriend' to use the UN as a backdrop of its story. The film is based on menstrual hygiene, an issue relating to the Sustainable Development Goal number four that focusses on achieving inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Pakistan's delegate Masood Anwar urged DPI to highlight situations where "grave violations of human rights are taking place", especially against the Rohingya, Kashmiris and Palestinians.

Pakistan has raked up the issue of alleged human rights violation in Kashmir at the UN's Committee on Information to which India raised strong objection, saying it was irrelevant to the work of the panel. Pakistan's delegate Masood Anwar, addressing a session of Committee on Information yesterday, raised the issue of Kashmir alleging that human rights violations are taking place against the people of Kashmir. "The world we live today is marred with conflict and strife while we maintain unity in fighting terrorism and extremism. Countering the narrative of this twisted ideologies is imperative,"Anwar said during a General Debate on Committee on Information. He said the UN's Department of Public Information (DPI) can play an important role in defusing tensions and promoting interfaith harmony. "Human rights violations, in particular, are a matter of serious concern to the international community," he said. He urged DPI to highlight situations where "grave violations of human rights are taking place", especially against the Rohingya, Kashmiris and Palestinians. India strongly rejected Anwar's reference to Kashmir, saying his remarks are irrelevant to the work of the Committee. "We have seen another attempt here today to make reference to issues extraneous to the agenda of the Committee. We completely reject these remarks as they have no relevance to the work of the Committee," S Srinivas Prasad, Minister in the Indian Mission to the UN, said during the session. In his statement, Prasad said India supports the DPI's work on counter-terrorism. ?India is opposed to all forms of terrorism and believes that effective cooperation among countries is necessary to combat the threat," he said. He referred to the production of the documentary "Surviving Terrorism: Victim's voices' on the survivors of the Norway terror attack of 2011, saying civilians affected by terrorism is an "untold story" and hoped that the DPI will pick up more such stories from terrorist violence affected countries. He, however, voiced concern over declining financial resources that have presented a serious constraint on the ability of the DPI to carry out its mandated tasks especially in non-official languages. DPI needs to look at innovative ways to raise resources beyond the regular budgetary allocations, including through voluntary contributions to continue and expand its global outreach activities, especially in the widely-spoken non-official languages, he said. Prasad voiced appreciation over expansion in the number of languages in which UN guided tours are offered. He pointed out that guided tours of the world body have been very popular with Indian tourists in the city, urging the addition of a guided tour in Hindi to facilitate Indian tourists. Prasad also noted that the Department facilitated the on-location filming of Bollywood film 'Padman' at the United Nations headquarters in November 2017. Akshay Kumar-starrer Padman was the second movie after 'Half Girlfriend' to use the UN as a backdrop of its story. The film is based on menstrual hygiene, an issue relating to the Sustainable Development Goal number four that focusses on achieving inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Pak raises Kashmir issue at UN Committee on Information; India objects

Pakistan's top civil-military leadership has directed authorities to "forcefully" pursue the alleged violations of Indus Waters Treaty with India and the World Bank, the guarantor of the agreement.&nbsp

The last round of talks between India and Pakistan over the issue was facilitated by the World Bank in Washington in September.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the 21st meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) held at Prime Minister's House yesterday.

According to an official statement, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission briefed the meeting on the water policy approved by the Council of Common Interests on April 24, 2018, along with a water charter, which was signed by the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of four provinces.

The Committee observed that this was a very significant achievement and if properly implemented could prove instrumental in averting the water crisis that was seriously threatening Pakistan.

Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, the waters of the eastern rivers -- the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi -- had been allocated to India and that of the western rivers --the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- to Pakistan except for certain non-consumptive uses.

Pakistan had approached the World Bank in 2016, raising concerns over the designs of two hydroelectricity projects located in Jammu and Kashmir. It had demanded that the World Bank, which is the mediator between the two countries under the water distribution pact, set up a court of arbitration to look into its concerns.

"The (NSC) Committee also directed the Water Resources Division to forcefully pursue the violations of the Indus Water Treaty by India with the World Bank," according to the statement.&nbsp

The Committee also reviewed the prevailing situation in the Indian Ocean Region and directed to keep a robust security posture for the maintenance of security and safeguarding national interests of Pakistan.

The participants reviewed the proposed administrative reforms package for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

No details of the reforms have been so far shared officially, but according to various media reports the reforms may include steps to further integrate Gilgit-Baltistan with Pakistan. It is the region though which the multibillion dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes.&nbsp

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Director General ISI Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar and National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua.&nbsp

 
&nbsp

Pakistan's top civil-military leadership has directed authorities to 'forcefully' pursue the alleged violations of Indus Waters Treaty with India and the World Bank, the guarantor of the agreement

Pakistan's top civil-military leadership has directed authorities to "forcefully" pursue the alleged violations of Indus Waters Treaty with India and the World Bank, the guarantor of the agreement. The last round of talks between India and Pakistan over the issue was facilitated by the World Bank in Washington in September. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the 21st meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) held at Prime Minister's House yesterday. According to an official statement, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission briefed the meeting on the water policy approved by the Council of Common Interests on April 24, 2018, along with a water charter, which was signed by the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of four provinces. The Committee observed that this was a very significant achievement and if properly implemented could prove instrumental in averting the water crisis that was seriously threatening Pakistan. Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, the waters of the eastern rivers -- the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi -- had been allocated to India and that of the western rivers --the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- to Pakistan except for certain non-consumptive uses. Pakistan had approached the World Bank in 2016, raising concerns over the designs of two hydroelectricity projects located in Jammu and Kashmir. It had demanded that the World Bank, which is the mediator between the two countries under the water distribution pact, set up a court of arbitration to look into its concerns. "The (NSC) Committee also directed the Water Resources Division to forcefully pursue the violations of the Indus Water Treaty by India with the World Bank," according to the statement. The Committee also reviewed the prevailing situation in the Indian Ocean Region and directed to keep a robust security posture for the maintenance of security and safeguarding national interests of Pakistan. The participants reviewed the proposed administrative reforms package for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. No details of the reforms have been so far shared officially, but according to various media reports the reforms may include steps to further integrate Gilgit-Baltistan with Pakistan. It is the region though which the multibillion dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Director General ISI Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar and National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua.

Pak authorities asked to forcefully pursue with India and World Bank violations of Indus Water Treaty

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-meets-but-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-134254">Collegium </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-meets-but-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-134254">meets,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-meets-but-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-134254"> but defers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-meets-but-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-134254">decision</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-meets-but-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-134254"> on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court</a>

The collegium met Wednesday but deferred its decision on the elevation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court. Justice Joseph's name had recently been returned by the government to the collegium for reconsideration.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hundreds-of-dead-baby-girls-found-dumped-in-pakistan-134216">Hundreds of dead baby girls found dumped in Pakistan</a>

Hundreds of dead babies have been found dumped in Pakistan in the last year, news reports said Wednesday. Since the beginning of 2017, a total of 345 newbornds have been found dumped in Karachi. 99 per cent of the babies were girls.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-not-pay-ias-officers-on-basis-of-calories-they-need-delhi-chief-minister-arvind-kerjiwal-134252">Why not pay IAS officers on basis of calories they need? Delhi Chief Minister Arvind </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-not-pay-ias-officers-on-basis-of-calories-they-need-delhi-chief-minister-arvind-kerjiwal-134252">Kerjiwal</a>

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked why IAS officers should not be paid on the basis of calories they need. Kejriwal was addressing a meeting of the Delhi Workers' Conference on May Day or International Workers' Day.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-girl-recounts-horror-of-escape-to-un-security-council-envoys-134243">Rohingya girl recounts horror of escape to UN Security Council envoys</a>

Zohra Begum, 12, was one of several Rohingya refugees who met United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members over the weekend during their visit to the camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/journalist-jyotirmoy-dey-murder-case-chhota-rajan-gets-life-sentence-journalist-jigna-vora-acquitted-134229">Chhota Rajan, 7 others sentenced to life imprisonment in journalist J Dey murder case</a>

Mafia don Chhota Rajan was on Wednesday awarded life sentence by a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) &nbspcourt for the killing of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey seven years ago.&nbsp

Collegium meets, but defers decision on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court The collegium met Wednesday but deferred its decision on the elevation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court. Justice Joseph's name had recently been returned by the government to the collegium for reconsideration. Hundreds of dead baby girls found dumped in Pakistan Hundreds of dead babies have been found dumped in Pakistan in the last year, news reports said Wednesday. Since the beginning of 2017, a total of 345 newbornds have been found dumped in Karachi. 99 per cent of the babies were girls. Why not pay IAS officers on basis of calories they need? Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kerjiwal Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked why IAS officers should not be paid on the basis of calories they need. Kejriwal was addressing a meeting of the Delhi Workers' Conference on May Day or International Workers' Day. Rohingya girl recounts horror of escape to UN Security Council envoys Zohra Begum, 12, was one of several Rohingya refugees who met United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members over the weekend during their visit to the camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Chhota Rajan, 7 others sentenced to life imprisonment in journalist J Dey murder case Mafia don Chhota Rajan was on Wednesday awarded life sentence by a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) &nbspcourt for the killing of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey seven years ago.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Hundreds of dead babies have been found dumped in Pakistan in the last year, news reports said Wednesday. &nbsp

Since the beginning of 2017, a total of 345 newbornds have been found dumped in Karachi. 99 per cent of the babies were girls.&nbsp

In the most horrific cases, the reports said, a four-day-old girl was found with her throat slit.&nbsp

Another newborn baby left on the steps of a mosque was stoned to death after a cleric assumed it was an "illegitimate baby".&nbsp

Like India, Pakistan suffers from a massive problem of female infanticide.&nbsp

Boys are preferred to girls because men are seen as wage earners&nbspand for a number of other societal reasons.&nbsp

Infanticide is a crime in Pakistan but the news reports quote police as blaming poverty and illiteracy for the continuation of the practice.&nbsp

The reports also quoted police as saying a crime can only be investigated if there has been a complaint but that in the last one year, there has only been one complaint&nbspabout infanticide in Karachi, a city of 15 million people.&nbsp

Since the beginning of 2017, 345 dead babies have been found dumped in Karachi. 99 per cent of the newborns were girls

Hundreds of dead babies have been found dumped in Pakistan in the last year, news reports said Wednesday. Since the beginning of 2017, a total of 345 newbornds have been found dumped in Karachi. 99 per cent of the babies were girls. In the most horrific cases, the reports said, a four-day-old girl was found with her throat slit. Another newborn baby left on the steps of a mosque was stoned to death after a cleric assumed it was an "illegitimate baby". Like India, Pakistan suffers from a massive problem of female infanticide. Boys are preferred to girls because men are seen as wage earners&nbspand for a number of other societal reasons. Infanticide is a crime in Pakistan but the news reports quote police as blaming poverty and illiteracy for the continuation of the practice. The reports also quoted police as saying a crime can only be investigated if there has been a complaint but that in the last one year, there has only been one complaint&nbspabout infanticide in Karachi, a city of 15 million people.

Hundreds of dead baby girls found dumped in Pakistan

Pakistan’s environmental protection agency is installing air quality monitors and warning factories to add pollution filters after a panel of the country’s top judges ordered the government to detail its efforts to control worsening air pollution.

The court ruling earlier this month followed a lawsuit by a Karachi man challenging the government’s failure to control air pollution in that port city.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, head of a three-member high court panel, ruled that the government must provide details of what it is doing to curb air pollution across the country.

He said he was shocked at how dirty the air had become, particularly in Pakistan’s cities.

The ruling has spurred government authorities to action to try to reduce pollution levels, fearing they could face court orders or sanctions.

Venu G. Advani, the Karachi lawyer who filed the court petition, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation he was seeking to have air quality regulations in the country enforced.

He said he hoped the court would ensure “provision of the constitutional right to a clean environment, for which clean air is key”.

“There is no hope without the Supreme Court’s intervention to awaken government officials from their deep slumber” on air quality, he said in a telephone interview from Karachi.

Air pollution deaths

According to a 2015 report published by the medical journal Lancet, nearly 22 per cent of annual deaths in Pakistan – or more than 310,000 each year - are caused by pollution, the majority of them due to air pollution.

A 2014 World Bank study on Pakistan’s air quality recommended the country set aside funding to “install and operate a reliable air quality monitoring network”, and set other standards and frameworks to cut pollution.

Since the court ruling, officials at the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency have said they are moving rapidly to comply.

“We are now installing air quality monitoring instruments with the help of federal government funding and punishing the polluters,” said Ziauddin Khattak, director of the agency.

“We have now told dozens of industrial units and brick kilns through warning notices to install air cleaning filters on smoke-emitting chimneys and have started monitoring vehicles on various thoroughfares and issuing fines to the polluting vehicle owners,” he said.

Nearly 50 brick kilns have been issued notices, Khattak said, and more than 130 buses and other vehicles fined over the last two months.

He said seven fixed and three mobile ambient air quality monitoring stations have been set up in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta, all cities that have suffered particular problems with air pollution.

Saif Anjum, Punjab provincial environment secretary, said his agency also had installed six air quality monitoring units in Lahore, with 30 more being put in place.

The units, along with an air quality action plan, “will help cut 50 per cent of air pollution in the next couple of years,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Other keys to improving air quality include planting more urban trees, replacing ageing city buses and increasing parking fees to encourage the use of public transport, Anjum said.

Left Out?

A 2016 study by the World Health Organisation ranked Rawalpindi, located near the capital Islamabad, as the second most polluted city of the country after the northwest city of Peshawar.

So far no air quality monitors are being installed in Rawalpindi, however, because of a lack of funds, officials said.

With few trees and an abundance of traffic, as well as brick kilns spewing black smoke and open incineration of waste, Rawalpindi has air pollution levels more than 10 times above levels considered safe by the World Health Organization, said Asif Shuja Khan, a former director general of the Pakistan Environmental Protection agency.

Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stand as 3rd, 4th and 5th most polluted cities in the country in terms of air quality, Khan said.

Over 90 per cent of Rawalpindi’s population of over 2 million inhales contaminated air regularly, exposing them to a higher risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, he said, with children particularly vulnerable.

Pakistan’s Constitution says a clean environment is a fundamental right of all citizens, under provisions that guarantee a “right to life” and “right to dignity”, said Ahmad Rafay Alam, vice president of the Pakistan Environmental Law Association.

The court ruling earlier this month followed a lawsuit by a Karachi man challenging the government’s failure to control air pollution in that port city

Pakistan’s environmental protection agency is installing air quality monitors and warning factories to add pollution filters after a panel of the country’s top judges ordered the government to detail its efforts to control worsening air pollution. The court ruling earlier this month followed a lawsuit by a Karachi man challenging the government’s failure to control air pollution in that port city. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, head of a three-member high court panel, ruled that the government must provide details of what it is doing to curb air pollution across the country. He said he was shocked at how dirty the air had become, particularly in Pakistan’s cities. The ruling has spurred government authorities to action to try to reduce pollution levels, fearing they could face court orders or sanctions. Venu G. Advani, the Karachi lawyer who filed the court petition, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation he was seeking to have air quality regulations in the country enforced. He said he hoped the court would ensure “provision of the constitutional right to a clean environment, for which clean air is key”. “There is no hope without the Supreme Court’s intervention to awaken government officials from their deep slumber” on air quality, he said in a telephone interview from Karachi. Air pollution deaths According to a 2015 report published by the medical journal Lancet, nearly 22 per cent of annual deaths in Pakistan – or more than 310,000 each year - are caused by pollution, the majority of them due to air pollution. A 2014 World Bank study on Pakistan’s air quality recommended the country set aside funding to “install and operate a reliable air quality monitoring network”, and set other standards and frameworks to cut pollution. Since the court ruling, officials at the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency have said they are moving rapidly to comply. “We are now installing air quality monitoring instruments with the help of federal government funding and punishing the polluters,” said Ziauddin Khattak, director of the agency. “We have now told dozens of industrial units and brick kilns through warning notices to install air cleaning filters on smoke-emitting chimneys and have started monitoring vehicles on various thoroughfares and issuing fines to the polluting vehicle owners,” he said. Nearly 50 brick kilns have been issued notices, Khattak said, and more than 130 buses and other vehicles fined over the last two months. He said seven fixed and three mobile ambient air quality monitoring stations have been set up in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta, all cities that have suffered particular problems with air pollution. Saif Anjum, Punjab provincial environment secretary, said his agency also had installed six air quality monitoring units in Lahore, with 30 more being put in place. The units, along with an air quality action plan, “will help cut 50 per cent of air pollution in the next couple of years,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Other keys to improving air quality include planting more urban trees, replacing ageing city buses and increasing parking fees to encourage the use of public transport, Anjum said. Left Out? A 2016 study by the World Health Organisation ranked Rawalpindi, located near the capital Islamabad, as the second most polluted city of the country after the northwest city of Peshawar. So far no air quality monitors are being installed in Rawalpindi, however, because of a lack of funds, officials said. With few trees and an abundance of traffic, as well as brick kilns spewing black smoke and open incineration of waste, Rawalpindi has air pollution levels more than 10 times above levels considered safe by the World Health Organization, said Asif Shuja Khan, a former director general of the Pakistan Environmental Protection agency. Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stand as 3rd, 4th and 5th most polluted cities in the country in terms of air quality, Khan said. Over 90 per cent of Rawalpindi’s population of over 2 million inhales contaminated air regularly, exposing them to a higher risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, he said, with children particularly vulnerable. Pakistan’s Constitution says a clean environment is a fundamental right of all citizens, under provisions that guarantee a “right to life” and “right to dignity”, said Ahmad Rafay Alam, vice president of the Pakistan Environmental Law Association.

Pakistan initiates to curb urban air pollution after high court ruling

Britain's new interior minister Sajid Javid on Monday attempted to distance himself from the "hostile environment" approach to a crackdown on illegal immigration which was favoured by Prime Minister Theresa May during her time in the job.

Javid told parliament he was working to resolve the situation of the so-called "Windrush" migrants after a scandal that forced her predecessor Amber Rudd to resign because she misled parliament over the government's immigration policy.

The government has been struggling to explain why some descendants of the "Windrush generation", invited to Britain to plug labour shortfalls between 1948 and 1971, have been denied basic rights and have been incorrectly labelled as illegal immigrants.

Tighter border policies are in part a legacy of May's time as interior minister - a role she held for six years before becoming prime minister in 2016.

May in 2012 said she wanted to create a "really hostile environment for illegal immigrants" and rules were tightened that ended up affecting people they hadn't been designed to target.

"I don't like the phrase hostile," Javid said. "So the terminology is incorrect and I think it is a phrase that is unhelpful and it doesn't represent our values as country to use that phrase. It is about a compliant environment and it is right that we have a compliant environment."

The government has apologised to Windrush migrants and their families, promised citizenship and compensation to those affected, including to people who have lost their jobs and been threatened with deportation because of the errors.

Javid said the interior ministry is investigating about 2,500 cases and has resolved about 100 cases.

"This should never have been the case and I will do whatever it takes to put it right," he said.

Javid said the interior ministry is investigating about 2,500 cases and has resolved about 100 cases

Britain's new interior minister Sajid Javid on Monday attempted to distance himself from the "hostile environment" approach to a crackdown on illegal immigration which was favoured by Prime Minister Theresa May during her time in the job. Javid told parliament he was working to resolve the situation of the so-called "Windrush" migrants after a scandal that forced her predecessor Amber Rudd to resign because she misled parliament over the government's immigration policy. The government has been struggling to explain why some descendants of the "Windrush generation", invited to Britain to plug labour shortfalls between 1948 and 1971, have been denied basic rights and have been incorrectly labelled as illegal immigrants. Tighter border policies are in part a legacy of May's time as interior minister - a role she held for six years before becoming prime minister in 2016. May in 2012 said she wanted to create a "really hostile environment for illegal immigrants" and rules were tightened that ended up affecting people they hadn't been designed to target. "I don't like the phrase hostile," Javid said. "So the terminology is incorrect and I think it is a phrase that is unhelpful and it doesn't represent our values as country to use that phrase. It is about a compliant environment and it is right that we have a compliant environment." The government has apologised to Windrush migrants and their families, promised citizenship and compensation to those affected, including to people who have lost their jobs and been threatened with deportation because of the errors. Javid said the interior ministry is investigating about 2,500 cases and has resolved about 100 cases. "This should never have been the case and I will do whatever it takes to put it right," he said.

UK's Pak origin Home Secy Sajid Javid not for 'hostile' approach on immigration

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi on Tuesday inaugurated the long-delayed new airport in Islamabad in place of Benazir Bhutto airport.

Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which has been inaugurated after years of delay, &nbspis the first greenfield airport of Pakistan which plans to emerge as one of Asia's major aviation hubs.&nbsp

With a sleek glass-front entrance, spacious check-in areas and jetway bridges for boarding, the Y-shaped airport promise an end to the congestion that has frustrated air travel in the past.

"This airport rightly reflects what has happened in Pakistan in the last five years," said Abbasi.

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, PK-300, landed at the airport as part of its inauguration ceremony. A video shared by PIA on its official Twitter account, showed the pilot waving the country’s flag from the cockpit window.

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Pakistan Zindabad! The first flight arrives at the new Islamabad International Airport!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FirstFlightPIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FirstFlightPIA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewAirportwithPIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewAirportwithPIA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIA</a> <a href="https://t.co/JLvjmLzm7r">pic.twitter.com/JLvjmLzm7r</a>
— PIA (@Official_PIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA/status/991226318019809280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The new airport is capable of serving nine million passengers and 50,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and plans to expand its target servicing to about 25 million passengers by 2025.

Abbasi's government is spending billions of dollars on upgrading Pakistan's transport infrastructure and ending energy blackouts, with freshly paved motorways as well as dams and power plants popping up across the country.

Abbasi, who has a pilot's license and is a founder of a Pakistani budget airline, said new airports in the cities of Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and Peshawar were in the final stages.

"Nothing is impossible but this project definitely seemed impossible," quipped Abbasi, in reference to his government inheriting the project in 2013.

The new airport is about 15 km (nine miles) from the capital. Benazir Bhutto airport was in the nearby city of Rawalpindi and attached to a military base.

Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which has been inaugurated after years of delay, is the first greenfield airport of Pakistan which plans to emerge as one of Asia's major aviation hubs.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi on Tuesday inaugurated the long-delayed new airport in Islamabad in place of Benazir Bhutto airport. Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which has been inaugurated after years of delay, &nbspis the first greenfield airport of Pakistan which plans to emerge as one of Asia's major aviation hubs. With a sleek glass-front entrance, spacious check-in areas and jetway bridges for boarding, the Y-shaped airport promise an end to the congestion that has frustrated air travel in the past. "This airport rightly reflects what has happened in Pakistan in the last five years," said Abbasi. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, PK-300, landed at the airport as part of its inauguration ceremony. A video shared by PIA on its official Twitter account, showed the pilot waving the country’s flag from the cockpit window. Pakistan Zindabad! The first flight arrives at the new Islamabad International Airport!#FirstFlightPIA #NewAirportwithPIA #PIA pic.twitter.com/JLvjmLzm7r — PIA (@Official_PIA) May 1, 2018 × The new airport is capable of serving nine million passengers and 50,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and plans to expand its target servicing to about 25 million passengers by 2025. Abbasi's government is spending billions of dollars on upgrading Pakistan's transport infrastructure and ending energy blackouts, with freshly paved motorways as well as dams and power plants popping up across the country. Abbasi, who has a pilot's license and is a founder of a Pakistani budget airline, said new airports in the cities of Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and Peshawar were in the final stages. "Nothing is impossible but this project definitely seemed impossible," quipped Abbasi, in reference to his government inheriting the project in 2013. The new airport is about 15 km (nine miles) from the capital. Benazir Bhutto airport was in the nearby city of Rawalpindi and attached to a military base.

Pakistan PM inaugurates long-delayed new airport in capital Islamabad

Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) carried out a protest rally in Rawalpindi city against the Karachi Agreement.

Executed on April 28, 1949, between the Government of Pakistan and the then Government of Azad Kashmir, the Karachi Agreement was very much in Pakistan's favour and deprived the people of PoK of significant powers and responsibilities.

Jamil Maqsood, a leader of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), Brussels said, "While critically analysing the agreement, we get to know that Pakistan was made responsible for the administration of the region, not for the development of the region. Not even a single point is mentioned about Pakistan establishment developing the region. You took control of a large area and declared 4,000 square miles of area independent (Azad Kashmir), while you gave control of the 28,000 square miles to Pakistan without taking assent of the legitimate local administration."

The 1949 Karachi Agreement was essentially formulated by Islamabad to ratify Pakistan's administrative control over the region without consulting any shareholder of the region.

Pakistan has since then been perpetrating worst forms of humanitarian crimes on the people of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan.

"When Pakistan took control of this region, then instead of giving people their fundamental, political, social, democratic and national rights, they declared the name of the region as Northern areas. This region was removed from our syllabus and was added to Pakistan and a narrative was built for the people of Pakistan that this region was being added to Pakistan and this is not even remotely connected with the reality," Maqsood added.

The people in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan are now demanding an immediate abolishment of the agreement with all rights conferred to citizens in letter and spirit.

"We reject all aspects (of agreement) in fact, the whole Karachi Agreement. Today, the circumstances are completely different from the time when the agreement was signed and if the Pakistani government is really serious about resolving the issues of these two regions (Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan), then it should abolish both the councils of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and merge them into one with an appropriate representation from both regions," Maqsood said.

The people of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan have suffered decades of discrimination and persecution, owing to skewed policies and agreements framed by Islamabad.

There have been massive social and economic depredations in the region at the hands of state-sponsored machinery. It is high time that Pakistan takes cognizance of the growing resentment amongst the people of the region before it transmutes into something unmanageable. 
&nbsp;

Executed on April 28, 1949, between the Government of Pakistan and the then Government of Azad Kashmir, the Karachi Agreement was very much in Pakistan's favour and deprived the people of PoK of significant powers and responsibilities

Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) carried out a protest rally in Rawalpindi city against the Karachi Agreement. Executed on April 28, 1949, between the Government of Pakistan and the then Government of Azad Kashmir, the Karachi Agreement was very much in Pakistan's favour and deprived the people of PoK of significant powers and responsibilities. Jamil Maqsood, a leader of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), Brussels said, "While critically analysing the agreement, we get to know that Pakistan was made responsible for the administration of the region, not for the development of the region. Not even a single point is mentioned about Pakistan establishment developing the region. You took control of a large area and declared 4,000 square miles of area independent (Azad Kashmir), while you gave control of the 28,000 square miles to Pakistan without taking assent of the legitimate local administration." The 1949 Karachi Agreement was essentially formulated by Islamabad to ratify Pakistan's administrative control over the region without consulting any shareholder of the region. Pakistan has since then been perpetrating worst forms of humanitarian crimes on the people of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. "When Pakistan took control of this region, then instead of giving people their fundamental, political, social, democratic and national rights, they declared the name of the region as Northern areas. This region was removed from our syllabus and was added to Pakistan and a narrative was built for the people of Pakistan that this region was being added to Pakistan and this is not even remotely connected with the reality," Maqsood added. The people in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan are now demanding an immediate abolishment of the agreement with all rights conferred to citizens in letter and spirit. "We reject all aspects (of agreement) in fact, the whole Karachi Agreement. Today, the circumstances are completely different from the time when the agreement was signed and if the Pakistani government is really serious about resolving the issues of these two regions (Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan), then it should abolish both the councils of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and merge them into one with an appropriate representation from both regions," Maqsood said. The people of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan have suffered decades of discrimination and persecution, owing to skewed policies and agreements framed by Islamabad. There have been massive social and economic depredations in the region at the hands of state-sponsored machinery. It is high time that Pakistan takes cognizance of the growing resentment amongst the people of the region before it transmutes into something unmanageable.

Activists demand abolition of 1949 Karachi Agreement which gives Pakistan control over PoK

India has restarted its Track-II diplomacy — the Neemrana Dialogue — with Pakistan.&nbsp

News reports said Tuesday than an Indian delegation visited Pakistan from April 28 to 30.&nbsp

The Indian delegation was led by former MEA secretary and Pakistan expert Vivek Katju. Former NCERT chief JS Rajput was also part of the delegation.&nbsp

The Pakistani side was represented by former foreign secretary Inam ul Haque&nbspand Ishrat Hussain, former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan.&nbsp

The Indian news reports added that the initiative, to hold the dialogue again, was this time taken by Islamabad.&nbsp

The Neemrana Dialogue is a non-government inititiative — they are not government-to-government talks — and has been around for at least two decades.&nbsp

The idea of Track-II diplomacy is to at least get the people of two countries talking, even if their governments will not.&nbsp

What is different about the Neemrana Dialogue however is that the foreign ministries of both India and Pakistan have in the past got involved with it.&nbsp

There has however been very little dialogue of late between India and Pakistan, especially after the September 2016 terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 19 Indian soldiers died. &nbsp

India blames the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attack.&nbsp

The current NDA government led by Prime Minister Modi believes in being "tough" on Pakistan. But the restarting of the Neemrana Dialogue seems to indicate the government may now think that approach has run its course.&nbsp

The Indian delegation to the Neemrana Dialogue was led by former MEA secretary and Pakistan expert Vivek Katju. The Pakistani side was represented by former foreign secretary Inam ul Haque

India has restarted its Track-II diplomacy — the Neemrana Dialogue — with Pakistan. News reports said Tuesday than an Indian delegation visited Pakistan from April 28 to 30. The Indian delegation was led by former MEA secretary and Pakistan expert Vivek Katju. Former NCERT chief JS Rajput was also part of the delegation. The Pakistani side was represented by former foreign secretary Inam ul Haque&nbspand Ishrat Hussain, former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. The Indian news reports added that the initiative, to hold the dialogue again, was this time taken by Islamabad. The Neemrana Dialogue is a non-government inititiative — they are not government-to-government talks — and has been around for at least two decades. The idea of Track-II diplomacy is to at least get the people of two countries talking, even if their governments will not. What is different about the Neemrana Dialogue however is that the foreign ministries of both India and Pakistan have in the past got involved with it. There has however been very little dialogue of late between India and Pakistan, especially after the September 2016 terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 19 Indian soldiers died. India blames the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attack. The current NDA government led by Prime Minister Modi believes in being "tough" on Pakistan. But the restarting of the Neemrana Dialogue seems to indicate the government may now think that approach has run its course.

India-Pakistan revive Track-II diplomacy, delegation visits Islamabad for talks

Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Sunday, addressing his party's power show at the iconic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, touted his 11-point agenda for "naya (new) Pakistan".

The cricketer-turned-politician's 11-point agenda lays emphasis on education, health, revenue generation, corruption, investment, employment, agriculture, federation, environment, police system, women education, Geo TV reported.

"Ask yourself, why was this country made?" Khan asked the crowd to question itself.

The PTI Chief lamented on the fact that Pakistan was nowhere close to the vision of the country's Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

"The Pakistan that Quaid-e-Azam wanted would afford equal rights to all citizens including the minorities, where the Hindu community, Sikhs, and Christians would be equal citizens. This country was to be formed on the model of Madina, where the basis of law was justice," Geo TV quoted Imran as saying.

According to the report, Imran Khan, who earlier branded the jalsa as "Tsunami plus show", expressed his gratitude to the participants who turned out in quite a huge chunks to witness the "historic" gathering.

"During Imran Khan's speech number is now between 90 Thousand to 1 lakh. Families and women seen leaving the venue to avail clear exits. Still good presence on the ground though," Pakistani journalist Mansoor Ali Khan tweeted.

Imran Khan told the crowd, "Whenever I gave a call to you, you never disappointed me."

&nbsp;

Imran Khan's 11-point agenda lays emphasis on education, health, revenue generation, corruption, investment, employment, agriculture, federation, environment, police system, women education

Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Sunday, addressing his party's power show at the iconic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, touted his 11-point agenda for "naya (new) Pakistan". The cricketer-turned-politician's 11-point agenda lays emphasis on education, health, revenue generation, corruption, investment, employment, agriculture, federation, environment, police system, women education, Geo TV reported. "Ask yourself, why was this country made?" Khan asked the crowd to question itself. The PTI Chief lamented on the fact that Pakistan was nowhere close to the vision of the country's Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. "The Pakistan that Quaid-e-Azam wanted would afford equal rights to all citizens including the minorities, where the Hindu community, Sikhs, and Christians would be equal citizens. This country was to be formed on the model of Madina, where the basis of law was justice," Geo TV quoted Imran as saying. According to the report, Imran Khan, who earlier branded the jalsa as "Tsunami plus show", expressed his gratitude to the participants who turned out in quite a huge chunks to witness the "historic" gathering. "During Imran Khan's speech number is now between 90 Thousand to 1 lakh. Families and women seen leaving the venue to avail clear exits. Still good presence on the ground though," Pakistani journalist Mansoor Ali Khan tweeted. Imran Khan told the crowd, "Whenever I gave a call to you, you never disappointed me."

Imran Khan touts 11-point agenda for 'naya' Pakistan

Following the much-discussed meet of the leaders of North Korea and South Korea, a media report in Pakistan advocated that "rivals" India and Pakistan should also try to resolve their differences.

The report said that the two countries should try to resolve their differences and make the "quest" for normalisation and peace the "noblest of goals" in the region.&nbsp

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a historic meet on Friday, where the two leaders agreed to make collective efforts to create peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.The two leaders also aimed at denuclearizing the Korean peninsula.

The media report said that a comparison between India and Pakistan relations with reference to the two Koreas would be made inevitably. It added that the tensions and disputes between Pakistan and India are fundamentally different to the issues between the Koreas.&nbsp

"Pakistan and India have forged very different and irreversible histories, whereas the Koreas seek unification. Yet, a shared history and the common dreams and aspirations of a people with enduring cultural and other similarities across India and Pakistan make the quest for normalisation and peace in this region the noblest of goals," it added.

Recalling the historic trip of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 to Lahore, the report further said that the leaders of the two countries should again walk the path of peace and friendship.

The ties between the two countries were expected to improve after PM Modi's surprise stopover to Pakistan in December 2015.

However, the relations between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016. The sentencing of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav to death in April last year further deteriorated the bilateral ties.

&nbsp

(With inputs from PTI)

Recalling the historic trip of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 to Lahore, the report further said that the leaders of the two countries should again walk the path of peace and friendship

Following the much-discussed meet of the leaders of North Korea and South Korea, a media report in Pakistan advocated that "rivals" India and Pakistan should also try to resolve their differences. The report said that the two countries should try to resolve their differences and make the "quest" for normalisation and peace the "noblest of goals" in the region. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a historic meet on Friday, where the two leaders agreed to make collective efforts to create peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.The two leaders also aimed at denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. The media report said that a comparison between India and Pakistan relations with reference to the two Koreas would be made inevitably. It added that the tensions and disputes between Pakistan and India are fundamentally different to the issues between the Koreas. "Pakistan and India have forged very different and irreversible histories, whereas the Koreas seek unification. Yet, a shared history and the common dreams and aspirations of a people with enduring cultural and other similarities across India and Pakistan make the quest for normalisation and peace in this region the noblest of goals," it added. Recalling the historic trip of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 to Lahore, the report further said that the leaders of the two countries should again walk the path of peace and friendship. The ties between the two countries were expected to improve after PM Modi's surprise stopover to Pakistan in December 2015. However, the relations between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016. The sentencing of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav to death in April last year further deteriorated the bilateral ties. (With inputs from PTI)

India, Pakistan should try to resolve their differences like Koreas: Pak media

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