<p>Pakistan&rsquo;s former dictator Pervez Musharraf has formed a &#39;grand alliance&#39;&nbsp;of 23 political parties, according to media reports.</p>

<p>The grand alliance named Pakistan Awami Ittehad (PAI) will be headed by 74-year-old Mr. Musharraf, while Iqbal Dar has been appointed as Secretary General.</p>

<p>Addressing media persons through video conferencing from Dubai, the former president said all parties representing Muhajir (migrant) community should be united, local media reported.</p>

<p>He invited the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) to join the new political alliance.</p>

<p>About the nature of alliance, he said all the member parties will contest together with one name.</p>

<p>Mr. Musharraf denied reports that he was going to head the MQM, claiming that it was &#39;ridiculous&#39;&nbsp;to think that he would want to be head of a &#39;minor, ethnic party&#39;.</p>

<p>&ldquo;MQM-Pakistan is merely half of what the (original) party used to be,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I am concerned about the internal problems&nbsp;of the party; however, I have no interest in replacing Farooq Sattar or Mustafa Kamal even if their parties are united,&rdquo; he insisted.</p>

<p>Criticising MQM, he said that the party and the muhajir community have lost respect. &ldquo;The muhajir community would do better to abandon ethnic politics and join PAI,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>He expressed hope that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leaders Chaudhry Shujaat and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi would join his grand alliance as well.</p>

<p>The former president also advised Pakistan Tehhreek-i- Insaf&nbsp;chairman Imran Khan to &#39;join hands with a group that would take Pakistan forward&#39;&nbsp;while accusing him of only thinking about his own party.</p>

<p>Mr. Musharraf thanked the alliance for appointing him as the chairman and announced that he would return to Pakistan soon, adding that he did not want any security when he does since the country&rsquo;s situation is better now.</p>

<p>Mr. Musharraf had left the country for Dubai in March last year after the interior ministry issued a notification to remove his name from the exit control list.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said he will return at the &ldquo;appropriate time&rdquo; so that the &ldquo;development work in the country is not disturbed&rdquo;.</p>

<p>Mr. Musharraf, who was charged with treason by a special court last year and was declared an absconder in the Benazir Bhutto murder case in August this year, claimed that he was ready to face all charges as the courts are not under &#39;Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s control anymore&#39;.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The accountability process should not be affected by my arrival (to Pakistan),&rdquo; the former president said, adding that the courts and the armed forces must be &#39;allowed&#39;&nbsp;to function as both institutions are working in the country&rsquo;s favour.</p>


The grand alliance named Pakistan Awami Ittehad (PAI) will be headed by 74-year-old Mr. Musharraf, while Iqbal Dar has been appointed as Secretary General.

Pakistan’s former dictator Pervez Musharraf has formed a 'grand alliance' of 23 political parties, according to media reports. The grand alliance named Pakistan Awami Ittehad (PAI) will be headed by 74-year-old Mr. Musharraf, while Iqbal Dar has been appointed as Secretary General. Addressing media persons through video conferencing from Dubai, the former president said all parties representing Muhajir (migrant) community should be united, local media reported. He invited the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) to join the new political alliance. About the nature of alliance, he said all the member parties will contest together with one name. Mr. Musharraf denied reports that he was going to head the MQM, claiming that it was 'ridiculous' to think that he would want to be head of a 'minor, ethnic party'. “MQM-Pakistan is merely half of what the (original) party used to be,” he said. “I am concerned about the internal problems of the party; however, I have no interest in replacing Farooq Sattar or Mustafa Kamal even if their parties are united,” he insisted. Criticising MQM, he said that the party and the muhajir community have lost respect. “The muhajir community would do better to abandon ethnic politics and join PAI,” he said. He expressed hope that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leaders Chaudhry Shujaat and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi would join his grand alliance as well. The former president also advised Pakistan Tehhreek-i- Insaf chairman Imran Khan to 'join hands with a group that would take Pakistan forward' while accusing him of only thinking about his own party. Mr. Musharraf thanked the alliance for appointing him as the chairman and announced that he would return to Pakistan soon, adding that he did not want any security when he does since the country’s situation is better now. Mr. Musharraf had left the country for Dubai in March last year after the interior ministry issued a notification to remove his name from the exit control list. He said he will return at the “appropriate time” so that the “development work in the country is not disturbed”. Mr. Musharraf, who was charged with treason by a special court last year and was declared an absconder in the Benazir Bhutto murder case in August this year, claimed that he was ready to face all charges as the courts are not under 'Nawaz Sharif’s control anymore'. “The accountability process should not be affected by my arrival (to Pakistan),” the former president said, adding that the courts and the armed forces must be 'allowed' to function as both institutions are working in the country’s favour.

Musharraf forms 'grand alliance' of 23 political parties

<p>&nbsp;A 50-year-old Pakistani national, who allegedly entered India illegally from Nepal and was staying at a history-sheeters house in Sultanpur town in Rajasthans Kota district, has been rounded up, the police said today.</p>

<p>The history-sheeter, identified as Mohammed Khalid, has also been rounded up, they said.</p>

<p>Mohammed Hanif, a resident of Karachi in Pakistan, was rounded up late last night from Khalids house, where he had been staying without visa and passport since November 6, SHO of Sultanpur police station Devesh Bhardwaj said.</p>

<p>During interrogation, Hanif revealed that he had entered India illegally via Kathmandu in Nepal last month. After reaching Delhi, he went to Ajmer where stayed a night in a hotel. He arrived in Sultanpur on November 6, the SHO said.</p>

<p>He is being questioned to ascertain the motive behind entering the country illegally. Hanifs statements are being verified, the police official said, adding Khalids aunt was married in Pakistan.</p>

<p>A case under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and Passport Act has been registered against Hanif and Khalid, Bhardwaj said.</p>


During interrogation, Mohammed Hanif revealed that he had entered India illegally via Kathmandu in Nepal last month

A 50-year-old Pakistani national, who allegedly entered India illegally from Nepal and was staying at a history-sheeters house in Sultanpur town in Rajasthans Kota district, has been rounded up, the police said today. The history-sheeter, identified as Mohammed Khalid, has also been rounded up, they said. Mohammed Hanif, a resident of Karachi in Pakistan, was rounded up late last night from Khalids house, where he had been staying without visa and passport since November 6, SHO of Sultanpur police station Devesh Bhardwaj said. During interrogation, Hanif revealed that he had entered India illegally via Kathmandu in Nepal last month. After reaching Delhi, he went to Ajmer where stayed a night in a hotel. He arrived in Sultanpur on November 6, the SHO said. He is being questioned to ascertain the motive behind entering the country illegally. Hanifs statements are being verified, the police official said, adding Khalids aunt was married in Pakistan. A case under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and Passport Act has been registered against Hanif and Khalid, Bhardwaj said.

Pak national rounded up for entering India illegally: Police

<p>The Indian defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that the meeting of imprisoned Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav with his wife will boost his morale.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jadhav is imprisoned in Pakistan jail over alleged involvement in spying activities for India&#39;s intelligence agency RAW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We are trying our best to bring Kulbhushan Jadhav back to India&quot;, news agency ANI quoted Sitharaman as saying.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are trying our best that he be released &amp; brought to India. So if his wife is meeting him before that, it will help him stay strong: Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> allowed to meet his wife <a href="https://t.co/jQO3HBcq1C">pic.twitter.com/jQO3HBcq1C</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929232829568843777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday the Pakistani government decided to arrange a meeting with his wife, purely on humanitarian grounds.</p>

<p>India has always maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On April 10, 2017, Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) in Pakistan. &nbsp;However,&nbsp;International Court&nbsp;of Justice on May 18, 2017 stayed the&nbsp;death sentence after India appealed against it.&nbsp;</p>


Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the meeting of imprisoned Indian nation Kulbhushan Jadhav with his wife will boost his morale

The Indian defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that the meeting of imprisoned Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav with his wife will boost his morale. Jadhav is imprisoned in Pakistan jail over alleged involvement in spying activities for India's intelligence agency RAW. "We are trying our best to bring Kulbhushan Jadhav back to India", news agency ANI quoted Sitharaman as saying. We are trying our best that he be released & brought to India. So if his wife is meeting him before that, it will help him stay strong: Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister on #KulbhushanJadhav allowed to meet his wife pic.twitter.com/jQO3HBcq1C — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × On Wednesday the Pakistani government decided to arrange a meeting with his wife, purely on humanitarian grounds. India has always maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. On April 10, 2017, Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) in Pakistan. However, International Court of Justice on May 18, 2017 stayed the death sentence after India appealed against it.

We are trying our best to bring back Kulbhushan Jadhav: Nirmala Sitharaman

<p>Opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and &quot;this won&#39;t change&quot; no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.</p>

<p>Talk of an independent Kashmir was &quot;wrong&quot; as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India.</p>

<p>His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an &quot;independent Kashmir&quot;, saying it was not based on &quot;reality&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;I am saying that there is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side,&quot; the MP from Srinagar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the party headquarters here.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I can&#39;t comment much on that. He has held talks but talks alone is not the solution. This issue is between India &amp; Pakistan. Indian govt must also hold talks with Pakistan govt because a part of Kashmir is also with them: Farooq Abdullah on J&amp;K Interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma <a href="https://t.co/PrAWB79j6j">pic.twitter.com/PrAWB79j6j</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929269853428391936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah&#39;s name,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Those (separatists) who are talking about Azadi, are talking wrong,&quot; the former J&amp;K chief minister said.</p>

<p>On the demand for autonomy, he said that while the state decided to join India out of love, the country &quot;betrayed&quot; the people of Kashmir and did not treat them well.</p>

<p>&quot;We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn&#39;t treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir,&quot; Abdullah said.</p>

<p>&quot;Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley),&quot; he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A Pak Minister very rightly said that you forget that the part which is yours was acquired by an Instrument of Accession. You forget Instrument of accession &amp; say that the part is yours. If you talk about this being your part then remember the Instrument as well: Farooq Abdullah <a href="https://t.co/tuBpr4cd5D">pic.twitter.com/tuBpr4cd5D</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929272052191698944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir about PoK being part of India, Abdullah invoked the instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, with the Indian government.</p>

<p>&quot;You do not remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Abdullah also claimed that PoK was part of Pakistan and would remain so.</p>

<p>&quot;I tell them in plain terms -- not only the people of India, but also to the world -- that the part (of J&amp;K) which is with Pakistan (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won&#39;t change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. This won&#39;t change,&quot; Abdullah said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The part which is with Pakistan belongs to Pakistan &amp; this is India&#39;s part. If they want peace govt will have to talk to Pakistan &amp; conclude that an autonomy be given to us as well as them: Farooq Abdullah <a href="https://t.co/5bL0loxtBs">pic.twitter.com/5bL0loxtBs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929272849394679808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;And when the situation is such, then they have to talk, so that we live in peace, both parts live in peace and for that it is imperative to grant autonomy to both the parts,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Asked whether the visit of the Centre&#39;s special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sahrma to the state was successful, Abdullah said only Sharma could say anything about it.</p>

<p>&quot;I can only say that while he has held talks, only talks will not address the issue as this issue is between two countries -- Pakistan and India. The government of India has to talk to the government of Pakistan as a part of J&amp;K is with them (Pakistan),&quot; he said.</p>

<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>


Responding to the visit of Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, former chief minister of the state, Farooq Abdullah has said that India must also hold talks with Pakistan government as a part of Kashmir is also with them

Opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. Talk of an independent Kashmir was "wrong" as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India. His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality". "I am saying that there is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side," the MP from Srinagar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the party headquarters here. I can't comment much on that. He has held talks but talks alone is not the solution. This issue is between India & Pakistan. Indian govt must also hold talks with Pakistan govt because a part of Kashmir is also with them: Farooq Abdullah on J&K Interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma pic.twitter.com/PrAWB79j6j — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × "All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah's name," he said. "Those (separatists) who are talking about Azadi, are talking wrong," the former J&K chief minister said. On the demand for autonomy, he said that while the state decided to join India out of love, the country "betrayed" the people of Kashmir and did not treat them well. "We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn't treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir," Abdullah said. "Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley)," he said. A Pak Minister very rightly said that you forget that the part which is yours was acquired by an Instrument of Accession. You forget Instrument of accession & say that the part is yours. If you talk about this being your part then remember the Instrument as well: Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/tuBpr4cd5D — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Referring to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir about PoK being part of India, Abdullah invoked the instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, with the Indian government. "You do not remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?" he said. Abdullah also claimed that PoK was part of Pakistan and would remain so. "I tell them in plain terms -- not only the people of India, but also to the world -- that the part (of J&K) which is with Pakistan (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won't change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. This won't change," Abdullah said. The part which is with Pakistan belongs to Pakistan & this is India's part. If they want peace govt will have to talk to Pakistan & conclude that an autonomy be given to us as well as them: Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/5bL0loxtBs — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × "And when the situation is such, then they have to talk, so that we live in peace, both parts live in peace and for that it is imperative to grant autonomy to both the parts," he said. Asked whether the visit of the Centre's special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sahrma to the state was successful, Abdullah said only Sharma could say anything about it. "I can only say that while he has held talks, only talks will not address the issue as this issue is between two countries -- Pakistan and India. The government of India has to talk to the government of Pakistan as a part of J&K is with them (Pakistan)," he said. (With PTI inputs)

'PoK is part of Pakistan': Farooq Abdullah

<p>Pakistan on Friday blocked off roads into Islamabad, the capital, as an Islamist party that backs strict blasphemy laws staged a sit-in on a key highway, demanding the resignation of a minister it blames for changes to an electoral oath.</p>

<p>Dozens of Pakistanis are on death row, convicted of having insulted Islam&rsquo;s prophet, a charge that carries a mandatory death sentence, although no executions have been carried out.</p>

<p>More than 500 supporters of the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan party, or Movement of the Prophet&rsquo;s Followers, chanted slogans as speakers addressed them from atop a cargo truck, pledging their lives to protect Pakistan&rsquo;s blasphemy laws.</p>

<p>The protesters demanded the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid, whom they hold responsible for the law change, and denounced him as a blasphemer.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Immediately appear before us and beg for forgiveness,&rdquo; said one speaker.</p>

<p>Two high court lawyers who joined the sit-in said they would work to advance Labaik&rsquo;s agenda in the courts. &ldquo;He (Hamid) has insulted the blasphemy laws, the punishment for which is death,&rdquo; said one of the lawyers.</p>

<p>Pakistan&rsquo;s interior ministry did not immediately answer telephone calls from Reuters to seek comment.</p>

<p>The ruling Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) unexpectedly set off a firestorm last month after voting through the alteration of the oath, among seemingly small changes to the nation&rsquo;s electoral law. The changes prompted accusations of blasphemy from religious parties and the government retreated, apologising in parliament for what it called a &ldquo;clerical&rdquo; mistake.</p>

<p>But the apology did not satisfy Tehreek-e-Labaik, triggering the sit-in, as the culmination of a march of nearly 400 km (249 miles) from the eastern city of Lahore.</p>

<p>The party rose to prominence in September, after placing third in a by-election in Lahore, edging out a major opposition party to pick up 6 percent of the vote. Last month, it gained nearly 8 percent in a by-election in the northwestern city of Peshawar.</p>

<p>While Tehrik-e-Labaik is unlikely to break out of single digits in coming votes, its rapid rise could present a challenge for the PML-N.</p>

<p>On a bridge overlooking the highway demonstration site, drivers of trucks halted by blockades erected by city authorities complained about cargo delivery delays.</p>

<p>One commuter unable to take public transport to work told Reuters his business had suffered. &ldquo;I run a tailoring shop and can&rsquo;t go to work today,&rdquo; said Mohammad Altaf. &ldquo;I have lost a day&rsquo;s earnings.&rdquo;</p>


Dozens of Pakistanis are on death row, convicted of having insulted Islam?s prophet, a charge that carries a mandatory death sentence, although no executions have been carried out.B

Pakistan on Friday blocked off roads into Islamabad, the capital, as an Islamist party that backs strict blasphemy laws staged a sit-in on a key highway, demanding the resignation of a minister it blames for changes to an electoral oath. Dozens of Pakistanis are on death row, convicted of having insulted Islam’s prophet, a charge that carries a mandatory death sentence, although no executions have been carried out. More than 500 supporters of the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan party, or Movement of the Prophet’s Followers, chanted slogans as speakers addressed them from atop a cargo truck, pledging their lives to protect Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The protesters demanded the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid, whom they hold responsible for the law change, and denounced him as a blasphemer. “Immediately appear before us and beg for forgiveness,” said one speaker. Two high court lawyers who joined the sit-in said they would work to advance Labaik’s agenda in the courts. “He (Hamid) has insulted the blasphemy laws, the punishment for which is death,” said one of the lawyers. Pakistan’s interior ministry did not immediately answer telephone calls from Reuters to seek comment. The ruling Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) unexpectedly set off a firestorm last month after voting through the alteration of the oath, among seemingly small changes to the nation’s electoral law. The changes prompted accusations of blasphemy from religious parties and the government retreated, apologising in parliament for what it called a “clerical” mistake. But the apology did not satisfy Tehreek-e-Labaik, triggering the sit-in, as the culmination of a march of nearly 400 km (249 miles) from the eastern city of Lahore. The party rose to prominence in September, after placing third in a by-election in Lahore, edging out a major opposition party to pick up 6 percent of the vote. Last month, it gained nearly 8 percent in a by-election in the northwestern city of Peshawar. While Tehrik-e-Labaik is unlikely to break out of single digits in coming votes, its rapid rise could present a challenge for the PML-N. On a bridge overlooking the highway demonstration site, drivers of trucks halted by blockades erected by city authorities complained about cargo delivery delays. One commuter unable to take public transport to work told Reuters his business had suffered. “I run a tailoring shop and can’t go to work today,” said Mohammad Altaf. “I have lost a day’s earnings.”

Pakistan blocks roads as blasphemy law supporters protest

<p>At least three policemen were killed and another three were wounded Thursday after a bomb targeting a senior police official&#39;s vehicle was detonated in the western city of Quetta.</p>

<p>The attack, which occurred around 10 am local time, has been claimed by the country&#39;s main Taliban group.</p>

<p>&quot;It was a terrorist attack and the target was the senior Superintendent of Police Motor Transport and also DIG Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel while he was traveling from his house to the office,&quot; Quetta police spokesperson Mohamed Akbar told EFE.</p>

<p>&quot;He died along with his driver and other policeman,&quot; Akbar said.</p>

<p>The spokesperson said investigators did not yet know what kind of bomb was used in the attack, nor whether the bomb had been placed beforehand or it was the work of a suicide attacker.</p>

<p>The three policemen who were wounded have been taken to hospital.</p>

<p>Pakistan&#39;s main Taliban group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the incident in a statement sent to the media.</p>

<p>&quot;We accept responsibility of the attack on DIG Hamid Shakil,&quot; said TTP spokesperson Mohamed Khurasani in the statement.</p>

<p>Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province, is among the most conflict-ridden areas in Pakistan, with armed separatists, Taliban factions and terrorist groups operating in the region.</p>

<p>Pakistan launched a military offensive in the northwestern tribal areas of the country in June 2014 in which 3,500 alleged terrorists have died, according to unverified army data.</p>

<p>In Feb. 2017, the army started another counter-terrorist operation following a string of attacks, and in mid-July launched an offensive against the Islamic State terror organization in areas bordering Afghanistan.</p>


The attack, which occurred around 10 am local time, has been claimed by the country's main Taliban group.

At least three policemen were killed and another three were wounded Thursday after a bomb targeting a senior police official's vehicle was detonated in the western city of Quetta. The attack, which occurred around 10 am local time, has been claimed by the country's main Taliban group. "It was a terrorist attack and the target was the senior Superintendent of Police Motor Transport and also DIG Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel while he was traveling from his house to the office," Quetta police spokesperson Mohamed Akbar told EFE. "He died along with his driver and other policeman," Akbar said. The spokesperson said investigators did not yet know what kind of bomb was used in the attack, nor whether the bomb had been placed beforehand or it was the work of a suicide attacker. The three policemen who were wounded have been taken to hospital. Pakistan's main Taliban group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the incident in a statement sent to the media. "We accept responsibility of the attack on DIG Hamid Shakil," said TTP spokesperson Mohamed Khurasani in the statement. Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province, is among the most conflict-ridden areas in Pakistan, with armed separatists, Taliban factions and terrorist groups operating in the region. Pakistan launched a military offensive in the northwestern tribal areas of the country in June 2014 in which 3,500 alleged terrorists have died, according to unverified army data. In Feb. 2017, the army started another counter-terrorist operation following a string of attacks, and in mid-July launched an offensive against the Islamic State terror organization in areas bordering Afghanistan.

3 killed in bomb attack on senior police official in Pakistan

<p>A speeding bus carrying over 100 passengers fell into a ravine killing at least 24 people and injuring 69 others in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province, police said today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The overloaded bus was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town last night.</p>

<p>&quot;The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation,&quot; said Muhammad Afzal, the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station.</p>

<p>Confirming that 24 people had been killed, Afzal said that all the passengers belonged to Kohat area, the Dawn News reported.</p>

<p>Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition while many injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, the report said.</p>

<p>The cause of the accident was not known but apparently overloading was the reason as it was carrying around 100 passengers, the police said.</p>

<p>The bus originally was to go to Raiwind via Islamabad- Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route. &quot;The motorway is closed after&nbsp;10 pm&nbsp;due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway because of which the driver opted to go through Grand Trunk Road,&quot; Afzal said.</p>

<p>&quot;The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident.</p>

<p>He also ordered the authorities to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident.</p>

<p>Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads, and faulty vehicles.</p>

<p>In April 2014, some 15 people were killed in a bus crash in Kallar Kahar, the same area where last night&#39;s accident had occurred.</p>


The overloaded bus was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town last night

A speeding bus carrying over 100 passengers fell into a ravine killing at least 24 people and injuring 69 others in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said today. The overloaded bus was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town last night. "The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation," said Muhammad Afzal, the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station. Confirming that 24 people had been killed, Afzal said that all the passengers belonged to Kohat area, the Dawn News reported. Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition while many injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, the report said. The cause of the accident was not known but apparently overloading was the reason as it was carrying around 100 passengers, the police said. The bus originally was to go to Raiwind via Islamabad- Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route. "The motorway is closed after 10 pm due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway because of which the driver opted to go through Grand Trunk Road," Afzal said. "The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope," he said. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident. He also ordered the authorities to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident. Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads, and faulty vehicles. In April 2014, some 15 people were killed in a bus crash in Kallar Kahar, the same area where last night's accident had occurred.

24 killed, 69 injured as bus falls into ravine in Pakistan

<p>Pakistan has pressed the panic button, after an Indian, who purports to have an &quot;extrasensory perception,&quot; predicted a cataclysmic Tsunami by the end of this year.</p>

<p>Kerala based physics professor Babu Kalayil had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September, predicting a major Tsunami later this year, reported the Express Tribune.</p>

<p>According to the report, Kalayil, in his letter, warned of a devastating earthquake that could shake the Indian Ocean &quot;Indian Ocean in December and trigger a massive Tsunami, which would affect seven Asian countries, including Pakistan and India.</p>

<p>While India paid no heed to the letter, Pakistani officials have taken this seriously as they have started preparations to deal with a possible disaster.</p>

<p>Pakistan&#39;s top intelligence agency has reportedly warned the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA), the body responsible for disaster management, to take precautionary measures.</p>

<p>Another letter that has been doing the rounds on the social media is the one in which the ERRA acting deputy chairman allegedly directed that standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the matter may be prepared.</p>

<p>The ERRA letter read, &quot;An Information Report has been received from DG, Inter-Services Intelligence [ISI] that there is, reportedly, the likelihood of large-scale earthquake, as being expected, in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean in near future which may vigorously shake the Asian continental areas, including Pakistan. There is, therefore, a need to sensitise concern departments to be on the vigil and take care of any natural disaster.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;The SOPs will be put up to ERRA&#39;s acting deputy chairman by Monday, November 6, 2017,&quot; the letter further reads.</p>

<p>There have been no reports yet that have given any scientific basis for this prediction.</p>

<p>India was hit by a major Tsunami on December 26, 2004.</p>


Pakistan has pressed the panic button, after an Indian, who purports to have an "extrasensory perception," predicted a cataclysmic Tsunami by the end of this year.

Pakistan has pressed the panic button, after an Indian, who purports to have an "extrasensory perception," predicted a cataclysmic Tsunami by the end of this year. Kerala based physics professor Babu Kalayil had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September, predicting a major Tsunami later this year, reported the Express Tribune. According to the report, Kalayil, in his letter, warned of a devastating earthquake that could shake the Indian Ocean "Indian Ocean in December and trigger a massive Tsunami, which would affect seven Asian countries, including Pakistan and India. While India paid no heed to the letter, Pakistani officials have taken this seriously as they have started preparations to deal with a possible disaster. Pakistan's top intelligence agency has reportedly warned the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA), the body responsible for disaster management, to take precautionary measures. Another letter that has been doing the rounds on the social media is the one in which the ERRA acting deputy chairman allegedly directed that standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the matter may be prepared. The ERRA letter read, "An Information Report has been received from DG, Inter-Services Intelligence [ISI] that there is, reportedly, the likelihood of large-scale earthquake, as being expected, in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean in near future which may vigorously shake the Asian continental areas, including Pakistan. There is, therefore, a need to sensitise concern departments to be on the vigil and take care of any natural disaster." "The SOPs will be put up to ERRA's acting deputy chairman by Monday, November 6, 2017," the letter further reads. There have been no reports yet that have given any scientific basis for this prediction. India was hit by a major Tsunami on December 26, 2004.

An Indian's tsunami prediction makes Pakistan press the panic button

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said there is no support for the concept of independent Kashmir, in either Pakistan or India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that the idea had no basis in reality.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No support for the concept of independent Kashmir, in either of the two countries. There is no basis in reality: Pak PM Abbasi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakPMatLSE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakPMatLSE</a></p>
&mdash; SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAsiaLSE/status/926870379959787521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Abbasi was speaking at the London School of Economics, at a &#39;Future of Pakistan 2017&#39; conference.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abbasi added though that with regards to Kashmir, talks were the only way forward.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The prime minister added that his country was committed to fighting the &quot;menace&quot; of terror.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that &quot;Pakistan is a country that is fighting terror for the world&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pakistan is a country that is fighting terror for the world. We are committed to fighting that menace: Pak PM <a href="https://twitter.com/lsesupakdev?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lsesupakdev</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pak?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pak</a></p>
&mdash; SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAsiaLSE/status/926868496331558912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Abbasi added though that there was &quot;an issue of automatic weapons&quot; in his country. And that &quot;there are 0.5 million automatic weapons in private hands in Pakistan&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abbasi also touched upon the civilian-military relationship in his country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Our civil-military relations are evolving,&quot; Abbasi said. &quot;It has been tenuous in the past but (it) is evolving.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>And he talked of the need to widen the tax base.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;In a country of 200 million people, only 1.2 million pay taxes,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On education, Abbasi said, the country&#39;s biggest achievement was that people were interested in it, they valued education.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And they were sending their children to school.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abbasi also added that the &quot;women of Pakistan today are far ahead of men&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Women of Pak today are far ahead of men.<br />
We do have issues but there is commitment to resolve that: Pak PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakPMatLSE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakPMatLSE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/lsesupakdev?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lsesupakdev</a></p>
&mdash; SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAsiaLSE/status/926869168577810432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>To help bring in foreign investment, he said: &quot;No company has lost money in Pakistan.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No company has lost money in Pakistan: Pak PM Abbasi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSEFOP17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSEFOP17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakPMatLSE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakPMatLSE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/lsesupakdev?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lsesupakdev</a></p>
&mdash; SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAsiaLSE/status/926868118743416832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>And finally ended with saying: &quot;Our relationship with China is close to the hearts of both countries.&quot;&nbsp;</p>


Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said there was no support for the idea in either Pakistan or India

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said there is no support for the concept of independent Kashmir, in either Pakistan or India. And that the idea had no basis in reality. No support for the concept of independent Kashmir, in either of the two countries. There is no basis in reality: Pak PM Abbasi #PakPMatLSE — SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017 × Abbasi was speaking at the London School of Economics, at a 'Future of Pakistan 2017' conference. Abbasi added though that with regards to Kashmir, talks were the only way forward. The prime minister added that his country was committed to fighting the "menace" of terror. And that "Pakistan is a country that is fighting terror for the world". Pakistan is a country that is fighting terror for the world. We are committed to fighting that menace: Pak PM @lsesupakdev #Pak — SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017 × Abbasi added though that there was "an issue of automatic weapons" in his country. And that "there are 0.5 million automatic weapons in private hands in Pakistan". Abbasi also touched upon the civilian-military relationship in his country. "Our civil-military relations are evolving," Abbasi said. "It has been tenuous in the past but (it) is evolving." And he talked of the need to widen the tax base. "In a country of 200 million people, only 1.2 million pay taxes," he said. On education, Abbasi said, the country's biggest achievement was that people were interested in it, they valued education. And they were sending their children to school. Abbasi also added that the "women of Pakistan today are far ahead of men". Women of Pak today are far ahead of men. We do have issues but there is commitment to resolve that: Pak PM #PakPMatLSE @lsesupakdev — SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017 × To help bring in foreign investment, he said: "No company has lost money in Pakistan." No company has lost money in Pakistan: Pak PM Abbasi #LSEFOP17 #PakPMatLSE @lsesupakdev — SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017 × And finally ended with saying: "Our relationship with China is close to the hearts of both countries."

No support for idea of independent Kashmir: Pakistan PM

<p>A Pakistan defence expert has suggested that the country should consider creating gangs of terrorists and separatists to dismember the United Kingdom and Switzerland for allowing the flagging of &#39; Free Balochistan &#39; posters.</p>

<p>&quot;In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK &amp; Switzerland? (sic),&quot; Zaid Hamid, a Pakistani political commentator and defence expert, said in a tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK &amp; Switzerland ? <a href="https://t.co/yEy0BHPHw0">pic.twitter.com/yEy0BHPHw0</a></p>
&mdash; Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaidZamanHamid/status/926765107962527745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He alleged that the UK was hosting the biggest terror network against Pakistan.</p>

<p>&quot;UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen &amp; mass murderer under UK protection,&quot; Hamid tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen &amp; mass murderer under UK protection</p>
&mdash; Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaidZamanHamid/status/926767535147515905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hamid&#39;s reaction came after London taxis with the words &#39; Free Balochistan &#39; written on both sides were seen plying outside Buckingham Palace in what can be called as a new push by overseas Baloch groups to attract global attention to their cause for independence from Pakistan.</p>

<p>&#39;Free Balochistan&#39; posters embossed on several vehicles running on the road were seen in London this week to highlight human rights violations in Balochistan province.</p>

<p>Pakistan on Friday summoned British High Commissioner Thomas Drew over the emergence of &#39;Free Balochistan&#39; posters, which it said directly attacked its territorial integrity and sovereignty.</p>

<p>A Baloch activist said that Pakistan&#39;s reaction over the posters is a testimony to its suppressive nature, and its aggression to try to curb their rights in the UK.</p>

<p>&quot;Pakistan&#39;s reaction is a testimony to its suppressive nature, aggressively trying to curb our rights in the UK, imagine the situation in Balochistan,&quot; Bhawal Mengal? said in a tweet.</p>

<p>Earlier, similar posters featuring &#39;Free Balochistan&#39; had appeared in Geneva, including on the side of buses, demanding freedom for the separatist Balochistan region of south-west Pakistan.</p>

<p>Pakistan had at that time also summoned Switzerland&#39;s envoy over the display of such posters in Geneva.</p>

<p>The World Baloch Organisation (WBO) had organised a protest in September in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva to raise awareness of human rights violations in Balochistan.</p>

<p>Human rights activists, Baloch representatives and allies of the Baloch cause came together during the 36th Session of the UNHRC to protest against gross human rights violations inflicted upon indigenous Baloch people.</p>

<p>For decades in Balochistan, economic exploitation through the plundering of natural resources, and the systematic economic, social and political exclusion of indigenous Baloch people, has become the norm.</p>

<p>In addition to this, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression are used as covert tools to brutally repress the Baloch peaceful struggle for justice, rights, and equality.</p>

<p>Since the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)has begun, the Baloch have been forcefully cleared, enforcedly disappeared and effectively excluded from the project at all levels - despite plentiful promises made by the Pakistani authorities of development and employment.&nbsp;</p>


A Pakistan defence expert has suggested that the country should consider creating gangs of terrorists and separatists to dismember the United Kingdom and Switzerland for allowing the flagging of ' Free Balochistan ' posters.

A Pakistan defence expert has suggested that the country should consider creating gangs of terrorists and separatists to dismember the United Kingdom and Switzerland for allowing the flagging of ' Free Balochistan ' posters. "In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK & Switzerland? (sic)," Zaid Hamid, a Pakistani political commentator and defence expert, said in a tweet. In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK & Switzerland ? pic.twitter.com/yEy0BHPHw0 — Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) November 4, 2017 × He alleged that the UK was hosting the biggest terror network against Pakistan. "UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen & mass murderer under UK protection," Hamid tweeted. UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen & mass murderer under UK protection — Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) November 4, 2017 × Hamid's reaction came after London taxis with the words ' Free Balochistan ' written on both sides were seen plying outside Buckingham Palace in what can be called as a new push by overseas Baloch groups to attract global attention to their cause for independence from Pakistan. 'Free Balochistan' posters embossed on several vehicles running on the road were seen in London this week to highlight human rights violations in Balochistan province. Pakistan on Friday summoned British High Commissioner Thomas Drew over the emergence of 'Free Balochistan' posters, which it said directly attacked its territorial integrity and sovereignty. A Baloch activist said that Pakistan's reaction over the posters is a testimony to its suppressive nature, and its aggression to try to curb their rights in the UK. "Pakistan's reaction is a testimony to its suppressive nature, aggressively trying to curb our rights in the UK, imagine the situation in Balochistan," Bhawal Mengal? said in a tweet. Earlier, similar posters featuring 'Free Balochistan' had appeared in Geneva, including on the side of buses, demanding freedom for the separatist Balochistan region of south-west Pakistan. Pakistan had at that time also summoned Switzerland's envoy over the display of such posters in Geneva. The World Baloch Organisation (WBO) had organised a protest in September in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva to raise awareness of human rights violations in Balochistan. Human rights activists, Baloch representatives and allies of the Baloch cause came together during the 36th Session of the UNHRC to protest against gross human rights violations inflicted upon indigenous Baloch people. For decades in Balochistan, economic exploitation through the plundering of natural resources, and the systematic economic, social and political exclusion of indigenous Baloch people, has become the norm. In addition to this, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression are used as covert tools to brutally repress the Baloch peaceful struggle for justice, rights, and equality. Since the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)has begun, the Baloch have been forcefully cleared, enforcedly disappeared and effectively excluded from the project at all levels - despite plentiful promises made by the Pakistani authorities of development and employment.

Will destroy UK, Switzerland over emergence of 'Free Balochistan' posters: Pakistan defence  expert

<p>Government employees working on contract basis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments.</p>

<p>It has been several months that these employees have not received their salaries.</p>

<p>Blaming Islamabad for its discriminatory policies against them, the protestors, who are working in health, education and other government sectors in PoK, have been demanding regular jobs.</p>

<p>&quot;One of our colleagues who had not received the salary for the past 8 months died because of illness. In July 2017, the government assured us to provide regular salaries as it was passed in the assembly. But, we have not received our salaries,&quot; said Syda Sarvar Abbasi, a woman protester.</p>

<p>&quot;In Pakistan&#39;s all four provinces the workers are getting regular salaries, but here, we have not received our pay for the past 8 months,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Shamim Bibi, another woman protester said, &quot;Whenever we come to protest, they give us 3-4 months&#39; salary. We don&#39;t want salaries. We demand regular jobs. We have been doing all sort of work. In July 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared that our jobs should be made regular and the Government will give our salaries. Now, we will go to Supreme Court of Pakistan, which will decide our fate&quot;.</p>

<p>Another protestor questioned why were they being punished and for what reason.</p>

<p>Blaming the politicians, the protester said, &quot;They (politicians) have increased their salaries manifold whereas our salaries are very less&quot;.</p>

<p>Tall promises have been made by the Pakistani establishment to bring development in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but, the corrupt administrative system has made it one of the most backward regions under its rule.</p>

<p>Pakistan occupied Kashmir, has a Prime Minister and a President but is ruled from Islamabad.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the chairman and chief executive of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council that manages all affairs related to PoK.&nbsp;</p>


Government employees working on contract basis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments.

Government employees working on contract basis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments. It has been several months that these employees have not received their salaries. Blaming Islamabad for its discriminatory policies against them, the protestors, who are working in health, education and other government sectors in PoK, have been demanding regular jobs. "One of our colleagues who had not received the salary for the past 8 months died because of illness. In July 2017, the government assured us to provide regular salaries as it was passed in the assembly. But, we have not received our salaries," said Syda Sarvar Abbasi, a woman protester. "In Pakistan's all four provinces the workers are getting regular salaries, but here, we have not received our pay for the past 8 months," she added. Shamim Bibi, another woman protester said, "Whenever we come to protest, they give us 3-4 months' salary. We don't want salaries. We demand regular jobs. We have been doing all sort of work. In July 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared that our jobs should be made regular and the Government will give our salaries. Now, we will go to Supreme Court of Pakistan, which will decide our fate". Another protestor questioned why were they being punished and for what reason. Blaming the politicians, the protester said, "They (politicians) have increased their salaries manifold whereas our salaries are very less". Tall promises have been made by the Pakistani establishment to bring development in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but, the corrupt administrative system has made it one of the most backward regions under its rule. Pakistan occupied Kashmir, has a Prime Minister and a President but is ruled from Islamabad. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the chairman and chief executive of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council that manages all affairs related to PoK.

Anti-Pak protest by PoK government employees in Muzaffarabad

<p>A flight of Pakistan&rsquo;s national carrier on Saturday landed in Lahore due to low visibility and asked passengers onboard to travel by bus to their destination, according to a media report.</p>

<p>A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Abu Dhabi in the UAE to Rahim Yar Khan landed at the Lahore airport reportedly due low visibility, Geo News reported.</p>

<p>The airline staffers offered to take the passengers to their desired destination by a bus. However, the passengers turned down the offer and refused to leave the plane.</p>

<p>Following which the airline staffers switched off the plane&rsquo;s air conditioning system, resulting in suffocation of passengers, including minors, in the plane.</p>

<p>The approximate distance from Lahore to Rahim Yar Khan is 624.5 km.</p>

<p>The passengers said that they had asked the airlines to drop them at Multan Airport which is 292 kilometres away from Rahim Yar Khan.</p>


The airline staffers offered to take the passengers to their desired destination by a bus. However, the passengers turned down the offer and refused to leave the plane.

A flight of Pakistan’s national carrier on Saturday landed in Lahore due to low visibility and asked passengers onboard to travel by bus to their destination, according to a media report. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Abu Dhabi in the UAE to Rahim Yar Khan landed at the Lahore airport reportedly due low visibility, Geo News reported. The airline staffers offered to take the passengers to their desired destination by a bus. However, the passengers turned down the offer and refused to leave the plane. Following which the airline staffers switched off the plane’s air conditioning system, resulting in suffocation of passengers, including minors, in the plane. The approximate distance from Lahore to Rahim Yar Khan is 624.5 km. The passengers said that they had asked the airlines to drop them at Multan Airport which is 292 kilometres away from Rahim Yar Khan.

Pakistan: Flight lands midway, asks passengers to take bus to destination

<p>Pakistan&#39;s Balochistan province government has released the recently detained wife and children of a top Baloch militant commander who is accused of targeting security forces in the restive southwestern state.</p>

<p>Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said, three women and three children&nbsp;including the family of Dr. Allah Nazar, the chief of the banned Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), were arrested while travelling illegally into Pakistan from neighbouring Afghanistan last month.</p>

<p>He said that all women and children had been released in keeping with the Baloch traditions.</p>

<p>&quot;The other women included sister of Aslam, alias Acho, commander of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) who was killed in a security operation, and wife of Dileep, another leading commander of the BLF,&quot; Bugti was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.</p>

<p>&quot;The security forces handed over all the women and children to Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and we have released them. Allah Nazar&#39;s wife left for Karachi with his brother Mehrullah,&quot; he told reporters in the provincial capital Quetta yesterday.</p>

<p>The minister said that during the investigation, it was revealed that the women were involved in distributing funds to the banned Baloch outfits.</p>

<p>&quot;Despite committing crimes of illegally crossing the&nbsp;border and distributing funds among terrorists, the government treated them with respect,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The minister rejected the rumours that the women were abducted. &quot;They were arrested,&quot; he insisted.</p>


Pakistan's Balochistan province government has released the recently detained wife and children of a top Baloch militant commander who is accused of targeting security forces in the restive southwestern state

Pakistan's Balochistan province government has released the recently detained wife and children of a top Baloch militant commander who is accused of targeting security forces in the restive southwestern state. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said, three women and three children including the family of Dr. Allah Nazar, the chief of the banned Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), were arrested while travelling illegally into Pakistan from neighbouring Afghanistan last month. He said that all women and children had been released in keeping with the Baloch traditions. "The other women included sister of Aslam, alias Acho, commander of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) who was killed in a security operation, and wife of Dileep, another leading commander of the BLF," Bugti was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. "The security forces handed over all the women and children to Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and we have released them. Allah Nazar's wife left for Karachi with his brother Mehrullah," he told reporters in the provincial capital Quetta yesterday. The minister said that during the investigation, it was revealed that the women were involved in distributing funds to the banned Baloch outfits. "Despite committing crimes of illegally crossing the border and distributing funds among terrorists, the government treated them with respect," he said. The minister rejected the rumours that the women were abducted. "They were arrested," he insisted.

Pakistan releases family of top Baloch militant commander

<p>Another day, another extremist attack, so what else is new? Recently it was in New York, a couple of weeks ago it was in Las Vegas, before that in London, and before that in Paris and so the list goes on and on. We could just as easily be referring to the seasonal Fashion Week held in these international hubs of design instead of the far grimmer subject of &lsquo;lone wolf&rsquo; attacks and terrorism.</p>

<p>Israel for example, despite its outstanding intelligence and security services, apart from a pro-active and robust approach to counter-terror policy and actions, reportedly faces at least one lone wolf attack a month.</p>

<p>The attackers themselves too span the globe. The New York attacker is of Uzbek origin, while we have had Afghans, Pakistanis, Libyans, Algerians, Palestinians and a host of other nationalities involved as well. If there is one thing in common amongst them, it is that they are homegrown, that is citizens of the country attacked, and in most cases followers of radical Islam.</p>

<p>Also, does the present attack by an Uzbek imply that Uzbekistan and probably Central Asia is the new focus of radical Islam? &nbsp;While one attack is hardly evidence of such a trend, it is worth recalling that Central Asia has been the focus of radical Islam for years. It is now a forgotten footnote of history that the erstwhile Soviet Union used the Red Army to suppress the Basmachi Movement, the Islamic Rebel Groups in Central Asia, in the 1920&rsquo;s.</p>

<p>Interestingly, documentation now available in the public domain suggests that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 was in response to attempts to radicalise the population in Central Asia, though ironically the Americans got this completely wrong and gave it a massive boost instead, something they have been forced to confront over the past two decades.</p>

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<h5>The very individualistic nature of such attacks ensures that their planning and preparation remain very low-key, and therefore, extremely difficult for the intelligence and security apparatus to pick up or prevent.</h5>
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<p>The primary difference between lone wolf attackers and those belonging to terrorist groups, as we have all learnt over time, is that while they may be adherents of radical ideologies, they operate either alone or at best with an accomplice or two and are devoid of any support, logistic, intelligence or operational from any terrorist organisation.</p>

<p>This obviously limits the damage they can actually cause though, as we recently witnessed at Las Vegas, easy availability of high calibre weapons can tragically result in utter devastation. However, the very individualistic nature of such attacks ensures that their planning and preparation remain very low-key, and therefore, extremely difficult for the intelligence and security apparatus to pick up or prevent. The evolving nature of this threat makes existing counter - terror architecture and processes incapable of combating such threats effectively.</p>

<p>It is nobody&rsquo;s case that counter-terror intervention groups, such as the Special Action Groups of the NSG, have become redundant because it is impossible to foresee what tactics terrorists may employ in the future. Thus, hostage rescue and building/aircraft/train/ship intervention continue to be essential tasks for which specialised units must be kept trained and ready.</p>

<p>What however is emerging as absolutely essential to deal with lone wolf attacks is the necessity to reinforce beat cops and armed policemen with highly trained officers, both in and out of uniform, suitably equipped to respond instantaneously to ongoing situations. In this respect, the United Kingdom has been pro-active in establishing a high-level Counter-Terrorism Committee that is responsible for formulating the national Counter Terrorism and Domestic Extremism strategy.</p>

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<h5>It is a shameful, but unquestionable fact that India&#39;s counter-terrorism architecture is not much better than it was at the time of the Mumbai attacks, where it failed miserably.</h5>
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<p>Also, through its National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters it coordinates and controls specialised investigative and immediate intervention units, the CTC and CTU&rsquo;s. All of this backed by an effective database. It is no wonder then that the three attackers involved in the London Bridge terror incident in June this year were neutralised within eight minutes.</p>

<p>Though we in this country have not been subjected to lone wolf attacks, the reason for which needs to be analysed in depth, there is little doubt that we need to put in place systems to be able to deal with such a threat. It is, in fact, utter criminal negligence on the part of our political class that has led to the stalling of the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) projects.</p>

<p>It is a shameful, but unquestionable fact that our counter-terrorism architecture is not much better than it was at the time of the Mumbai attacks, where it failed miserably. It is high time that our political and security establishment get a move on and do what they are paid for, resignations and bluster after the event means little.</p>


Security establishment of India needs to work on and develop a better counter-terrorism architecture to track and avoid terrorist attacks

Another day, another extremist attack, so what else is new? Recently it was in New York, a couple of weeks ago it was in Las Vegas, before that in London, and before that in Paris and so the list goes on and on. We could just as easily be referring to the seasonal Fashion Week held in these international hubs of design instead of the far grimmer subject of ‘lone wolf’ attacks and terrorism. Israel for example, despite its outstanding intelligence and security services, apart from a pro-active and robust approach to counter-terror policy and actions, reportedly faces at least one lone wolf attack a month. The attackers themselves too span the globe. The New York attacker is of Uzbek origin, while we have had Afghans, Pakistanis, Libyans, Algerians, Palestinians and a host of other nationalities involved as well. If there is one thing in common amongst them, it is that they are homegrown, that is citizens of the country attacked, and in most cases followers of radical Islam. Also, does the present attack by an Uzbek imply that Uzbekistan and probably Central Asia is the new focus of radical Islam? While one attack is hardly evidence of such a trend, it is worth recalling that Central Asia has been the focus of radical Islam for years. It is now a forgotten footnote of history that the erstwhile Soviet Union used the Red Army to suppress the Basmachi Movement, the Islamic Rebel Groups in Central Asia, in the 1920’s. Interestingly, documentation now available in the public domain suggests that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 was in response to attempts to radicalise the population in Central Asia, though ironically the Americans got this completely wrong and gave it a massive boost instead, something they have been forced to confront over the past two decades. The very individualistic nature of such attacks ensures that their planning and preparation remain very low-key, and therefore, extremely difficult for the intelligence and security apparatus to pick up or prevent. × The primary difference between lone wolf attackers and those belonging to terrorist groups, as we have all learnt over time, is that while they may be adherents of radical ideologies, they operate either alone or at best with an accomplice or two and are devoid of any support, logistic, intelligence or operational from any terrorist organisation. This obviously limits the damage they can actually cause though, as we recently witnessed at Las Vegas, easy availability of high calibre weapons can tragically result in utter devastation. However, the very individualistic nature of such attacks ensures that their planning and preparation remain very low-key, and therefore, extremely difficult for the intelligence and security apparatus to pick up or prevent. The evolving nature of this threat makes existing counter - terror architecture and processes incapable of combating such threats effectively. It is nobody’s case that counter-terror intervention groups, such as the Special Action Groups of the NSG, have become redundant because it is impossible to foresee what tactics terrorists may employ in the future. Thus, hostage rescue and building/aircraft/train/ship intervention continue to be essential tasks for which specialised units must be kept trained and ready. What however is emerging as absolutely essential to deal with lone wolf attacks is the necessity to reinforce beat cops and armed policemen with highly trained officers, both in and out of uniform, suitably equipped to respond instantaneously to ongoing situations. In this respect, the United Kingdom has been pro-active in establishing a high-level Counter-Terrorism Committee that is responsible for formulating the national Counter Terrorism and Domestic Extremism strategy. It is a shameful, but unquestionable fact that India's counter-terrorism architecture is not much better than it was at the time of the Mumbai attacks, where it failed miserably. × Also, through its National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters it coordinates and controls specialised investigative and immediate intervention units, the CTC and CTU’s. All of this backed by an effective database. It is no wonder then that the three attackers involved in the London Bridge terror incident in June this year were neutralised within eight minutes. Though we in this country have not been subjected to lone wolf attacks, the reason for which needs to be analysed in depth, there is little doubt that we need to put in place systems to be able to deal with such a threat. It is, in fact, utter criminal negligence on the part of our political class that has led to the stalling of the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) projects. It is a shameful, but unquestionable fact that our counter-terrorism architecture is not much better than it was at the time of the Mumbai attacks, where it failed miserably. It is high time that our political and security establishment get a move on and do what they are paid for, resignations and bluster after the event means little.

The New York terror attack calls for a changed counter-terror response

<p>India-Afghanistan relations have come a long way in a short span of time. Arguably, no two other South Asian countries have a comparable strong bonding as these two. Not only is Afghanistan today seeking greater engagement with New Delhi, something which Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani re-emphasised during his recent visit to India but even the US is calling upon India to play a larger role there (as is evident in Washington DC&rsquo;s recently unveiled Afghanistan and India policies).</p>

<p>Given that India&rsquo;s contribution so far has been largely in the areas of developmental work and somewhat limited in defence matters, it is evident that both the Trump administration and Kabul are expecting New Delhi to ramp up Indo-Afghan defence cooperation even if it leaves Pakistan rattled. India is unlikely to put its military boots on the ground there, but short of that, the sky appears to be the limit.</p>

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<h5>Afghanistan had opposed the entry of Pakistan into the United Nations, and also that Kabul had not officially recognised the Durand Line which divides Afghanistan from Pakistan and serves as the de facto border.</h5>
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<p>Such is the current euphoria, admittedly justifiable, that few would remember or want to remember that the two nations had not seen eye to eye on many issues critical to New Delhi in the recent past. This, despite the emotional Kabuliwala, connect, the fact that Afghanistan had opposed the entry of Pakistan into the United Nations, and also that Kabul had not (it still has not) officially recognised the Durand Line which divides Afghanistan from Pakistan and serves as the de facto border.</p>

<p>The first real indication came during the 1965 India-Pakistan war. New Delhi had then raised the pitch to counter Pakistan&rsquo;s call for people&rsquo;s right to self-determination in Jammu &amp; Kashmir and even Nagaland. It said that Pakistan must then agree to self-determination in East Pakistan, Balochistan and &#39;Pakhtoonistan&rsquo;. Kabul ought to have been happy with that remark given that it believes that the Pakhtun-dominated regions had wrongly gone to Pakistan as a result of the Durand divide. Yet, Afghanistan did not back India during the war.</p>

<p>In fact, Kabul had registered an official protest against the Indian forces for targeting Peshawar and Kohat. This may be explained away on the pretext that Afghanistan considered the two as being its part. But then it had until then done nothing to forcefully present its case before the international community.</p>

<p>More importantly, Afghanistan had not criticised Pakistan&rsquo;s aggression which were codenamed Operation Gibraltar and Operation Grand Slam and whose aim was to secede Kashmir from India. Some media reports of the day had quoted Afghan king Zahir Shah (in Foreign Affairs Records) as placating Pakistan&rsquo;s Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: &ldquo;I as a king, give you assurance, I as a Muslim give you assurance, I as an Afghan give you assurance, that we are with you and we will never betray you.&rdquo; Kabul later denied the statement, but the damage had been done.</p>

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<h5>Pakistan&rsquo;s penchant to damage India&rsquo;s relations with Afghanistan and play mischief to achieve that end, something that it continues to indulge in even today.</h5>
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<p>In an interview, senior Indian diplomat Chinmaya Gharekhan had said that Afghanistan &ldquo;never sided with India in India&rsquo;s disputes with Pakistan&hellip; on issues like Kashmir, we have not had any support from Afghanistan&rdquo;.</p>

<p>It must be said here that given Pakistan&rsquo;s penchant to damage India&rsquo;s relations with Afghanistan and play mischief to achieve that end - something that it continues to indulge in even today -&nbsp;it may have &lsquo;manufactured&rsquo; the statement purportedly given by the king. Yet, it&rsquo;s a fact that Kabul was less than favourable to New Delhi on the latter&rsquo;s position on Kashmir.</p>

<p>It is possible that the Indian dismay would have been addressed had the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri made his scheduled visit to Afghanistan after the Tashkent meet which brought about an end to the 1965 war. Unfortunately, that was not to be as he died soon after the Tashkent Declaration.</p>

<p>In those days, 1965 was the only &lsquo;bright&rsquo; spot in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, because soon after, especially from the early 1970s, the Afghans began to be increasingly alarmed by Pakistan&rsquo;s high-handedness in East Pakistan and even the Baloch region. Although Kabul officially maintained silence over the Pakistani Army&rsquo;s atrocities in what later became Bangladesh, the ruling dispensation recognised the general Afghan anger over the developments.</p>

<p>What was worse from Afghanistan&rsquo;s viewpoint was the heavy-handedness which Pakistan displayed against the Baloch population. Kabul and New Delhi, although not the greatest of friends then, nevertheless began coming closer through, the increased Soviet influence in Afghanistan. Ironically, it was that very influence, to counter which the US entered the scene and made Pakistan a key counter-balance to the Soviet-backed regimes, which led to complications in the bilateral. Towards the end of 1980s and the early 1990s with the Soviets out and the Taliban gaining ground, India-Afghanistan ties hit a new low, only to recover years later.</p>

<p>Afghanistan soon realised to its dismay that the ouster of the Taliban regime had brought more problems than it had solved, in the form of militancy. The Mujahideen were out of work and had turned against their patrons - the US - but continued to be backed by Islamabad. The militant&#39;s groups, now carrying various names, began to target not just Afghanistan but also India and others in South Asia. India-Afghanistan ties should have taken off after this realisation had dawned on Kabul, but did not.</p>

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<h5>Hamid Karzai consistently attacked Pakistan for patronising terror elements that hit his country and India too.</h5>
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<p>This was primarily because of two reasons. The first is that the US continued to generously support Pakistan, and Afghanistan had to humour Pakistan because it heavily depended on the US for all kinds of aid. The second is that the new regime in Kabul fell for Pakistan&rsquo;s assurance of being a true friend. In 2011, then President Hamid Karzai had called Pakistan a &ldquo;twin brother&rdquo; and claimed that it had suffered from terrorism &ldquo;more than us&rdquo; and that India suffered from terrorist attacks &ldquo;only occasionally&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The fact that Karzai called India a &ldquo;great friend&rdquo; did nothing to please New Delhi after his pro-Pakistan remarks. It didn&rsquo;t take him a lifetime to revise his opinion. By 2014, when he was no longer President, he was consistently attacking Pakistan for patronising terror elements that hit his country and India too. This was then the beginning of Kabul getting real close to India. To be fair to Karzai, towards the last months in office, he had begun to speak out openly against Pakistan-sponsored terror in the region.</p>

<p>Like his predecessor, President Ghani began his tenure with overtures to Islamabad, worrying New Delhi which had begun to see light at the end of the India-Afghanistan bilateral tunnel. He went to Pakistan, received a 21-gun salute at the airport, and visited the Pakistani military headquarters - a gesture that was seen as bending-over-backwards to the powerful army there and thus roundly criticised. But he too was soon to be disabused of his optimism. In subsequent months, he realised Pakistan&rsquo;s games, and turned into Islamabad&rsquo;s trenchant critic and forged what is now termed as a historic relationship with India.</p>

<p>Given this short history, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the robust India-Afghanistan bilateral has much to thank Pakistan for its duplicity in combating terrorism in the South Asian region. But the relationship cannot rest on the negativity over Islamabad; it needs fresh positive doses to prevent any more disruptions.</p>


The India-Afghanistan relationship cannot rest on the negativity over Islamabad; it needs fresh positive doses to prevent any more disruptions

India-Afghanistan relations have come a long way in a short span of time. Arguably, no two other South Asian countries have a comparable strong bonding as these two. Not only is Afghanistan today seeking greater engagement with New Delhi, something which Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani re-emphasised during his recent visit to India but even the US is calling upon India to play a larger role there (as is evident in Washington DC’s recently unveiled Afghanistan and India policies). Given that India’s contribution so far has been largely in the areas of developmental work and somewhat limited in defence matters, it is evident that both the Trump administration and Kabul are expecting New Delhi to ramp up Indo-Afghan defence cooperation even if it leaves Pakistan rattled. India is unlikely to put its military boots on the ground there, but short of that, the sky appears to be the limit. Afghanistan had opposed the entry of Pakistan into the United Nations, and also that Kabul had not officially recognised the Durand Line which divides Afghanistan from Pakistan and serves as the de facto border. × Such is the current euphoria, admittedly justifiable, that few would remember or want to remember that the two nations had not seen eye to eye on many issues critical to New Delhi in the recent past. This, despite the emotional Kabuliwala, connect, the fact that Afghanistan had opposed the entry of Pakistan into the United Nations, and also that Kabul had not (it still has not) officially recognised the Durand Line which divides Afghanistan from Pakistan and serves as the de facto border. The first real indication came during the 1965 India-Pakistan war. New Delhi had then raised the pitch to counter Pakistan’s call for people’s right to self-determination in Jammu & Kashmir and even Nagaland. It said that Pakistan must then agree to self-determination in East Pakistan, Balochistan and 'Pakhtoonistan’. Kabul ought to have been happy with that remark given that it believes that the Pakhtun-dominated regions had wrongly gone to Pakistan as a result of the Durand divide. Yet, Afghanistan did not back India during the war. In fact, Kabul had registered an official protest against the Indian forces for targeting Peshawar and Kohat. This may be explained away on the pretext that Afghanistan considered the two as being its part. But then it had until then done nothing to forcefully present its case before the international community. More importantly, Afghanistan had not criticised Pakistan’s aggression which were codenamed Operation Gibraltar and Operation Grand Slam and whose aim was to secede Kashmir from India. Some media reports of the day had quoted Afghan king Zahir Shah (in Foreign Affairs Records) as placating Pakistan’s Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: “I as a king, give you assurance, I as a Muslim give you assurance, I as an Afghan give you assurance, that we are with you and we will never betray you.” Kabul later denied the statement, but the damage had been done. Pakistan’s penchant to damage India’s relations with Afghanistan and play mischief to achieve that end, something that it continues to indulge in even today. × In an interview, senior Indian diplomat Chinmaya Gharekhan had said that Afghanistan “never sided with India in India’s disputes with Pakistan… on issues like Kashmir, we have not had any support from Afghanistan”. It must be said here that given Pakistan’s penchant to damage India’s relations with Afghanistan and play mischief to achieve that end - something that it continues to indulge in even today - it may have ‘manufactured’ the statement purportedly given by the king. Yet, it’s a fact that Kabul was less than favourable to New Delhi on the latter’s position on Kashmir. It is possible that the Indian dismay would have been addressed had the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri made his scheduled visit to Afghanistan after the Tashkent meet which brought about an end to the 1965 war. Unfortunately, that was not to be as he died soon after the Tashkent Declaration. In those days, 1965 was the only ‘bright’ spot in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, because soon after, especially from the early 1970s, the Afghans began to be increasingly alarmed by Pakistan’s high-handedness in East Pakistan and even the Baloch region. Although Kabul officially maintained silence over the Pakistani Army’s atrocities in what later became Bangladesh, the ruling dispensation recognised the general Afghan anger over the developments. What was worse from Afghanistan’s viewpoint was the heavy-handedness which Pakistan displayed against the Baloch population. Kabul and New Delhi, although not the greatest of friends then, nevertheless began coming closer through, the increased Soviet influence in Afghanistan. Ironically, it was that very influence, to counter which the US entered the scene and made Pakistan a key counter-balance to the Soviet-backed regimes, which led to complications in the bilateral. Towards the end of 1980s and the early 1990s with the Soviets out and the Taliban gaining ground, India-Afghanistan ties hit a new low, only to recover years later. Afghanistan soon realised to its dismay that the ouster of the Taliban regime had brought more problems than it had solved, in the form of militancy. The Mujahideen were out of work and had turned against their patrons - the US - but continued to be backed by Islamabad. The militant's groups, now carrying various names, began to target not just Afghanistan but also India and others in South Asia. India-Afghanistan ties should have taken off after this realisation had dawned on Kabul, but did not. Hamid Karzai consistently attacked Pakistan for patronising terror elements that hit his country and India too. × This was primarily because of two reasons. The first is that the US continued to generously support Pakistan, and Afghanistan had to humour Pakistan because it heavily depended on the US for all kinds of aid. The second is that the new regime in Kabul fell for Pakistan’s assurance of being a true friend. In 2011, then President Hamid Karzai had called Pakistan a “twin brother” and claimed that it had suffered from terrorism “more than us” and that India suffered from terrorist attacks “only occasionally”. The fact that Karzai called India a “great friend” did nothing to please New Delhi after his pro-Pakistan remarks. It didn’t take him a lifetime to revise his opinion. By 2014, when he was no longer President, he was consistently attacking Pakistan for patronising terror elements that hit his country and India too. This was then the beginning of Kabul getting real close to India. To be fair to Karzai, towards the last months in office, he had begun to speak out openly against Pakistan-sponsored terror in the region. Like his predecessor, President Ghani began his tenure with overtures to Islamabad, worrying New Delhi which had begun to see light at the end of the India-Afghanistan bilateral tunnel. He went to Pakistan, received a 21-gun salute at the airport, and visited the Pakistani military headquarters - a gesture that was seen as bending-over-backwards to the powerful army there and thus roundly criticised. But he too was soon to be disabused of his optimism. In subsequent months, he realised Pakistan’s games, and turned into Islamabad’s trenchant critic and forged what is now termed as a historic relationship with India. Given this short history, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the robust India-Afghanistan bilateral has much to thank Pakistan for its duplicity in combating terrorism in the South Asian region. But the relationship cannot rest on the negativity over Islamabad; it needs fresh positive doses to prevent any more disruptions.

India-Afghanistan relationship seeks to prosper through all ups and downs

<p>Dina Wadia, daughter of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, passed away in London on Thursday, at the age of 98, said Pakistani media reports.</p>

<p>Quoting family sources, Pakistan&#39;s Samaa TV said that Dina was the only child of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his second wife Rattanbai Petit who was also known as Maryam Jinnah.</p>

<p>Dina Wadia was born in London on August 15, 1919. Her paternal grandparents were from Gujarat, who moved to Karachi for business in the mid 1870s, where her father, Jinnah, was born.</p>

<p>Her mother was a member of two of the elite class families of Bombay, the Petit-Tata family. Through her marriage to industrialist Neville Wadia, she belongs to the prominent Wadia family.</p>

<p>In 2007, Dina Wadia filed a writ petition before the Mumbai High Court, claiming that Jinnah House could not be classified as &quot;evacuee property&quot;, as her father had died without leaving behind a will and demanded that the house be handed over to her.</p>

<p>Successive Pakistan governments often expressed deep interest in acquiring the property free of charge for sentimental reasons. During his visit to India, President Pervez Musharraf renewed Pakistan&#39;s claim to the house when he had had suggested to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee should be given to Pakistan so that it could be turned into a consulate.</p>

<p>Dina last visited Pakistan in 2004 during a landmark cricket series between Pakistan and India on the invitation of former President General Retired&nbsp;Pervez Musharraf. She considered cricket diplomacy to be an enthralling dimension.</p>

<p>Wadia had never visited Pakistan since her father&#39;s funeral in September 1948.</p>

<p>She is survived by her only son Nusli Wadia, who is often named in the list of India&#39;s most successful and rich businessmen, and is one of the Parsi&#39; community&#39;s most prominent and influential businessmen.</p>

<p>Nusli is married to Maureen Wadia, a former air hostess, who heads Gladrags magazine and is one of the forces behind the Mrs. India beauty pageant. They have two sons: Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia</p>


Dina Wadia was born in London on August 15, 1919. Her paternal grandparents were from Gujarat, who moved to Karachi for business in the mid 1870s, where her father, Jinnah, was born.

Dina Wadia, daughter of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, passed away in London on Thursday, at the age of 98, said Pakistani media reports. Quoting family sources, Pakistan's Samaa TV said that Dina was the only child of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his second wife Rattanbai Petit who was also known as Maryam Jinnah. Dina Wadia was born in London on August 15, 1919. Her paternal grandparents were from Gujarat, who moved to Karachi for business in the mid 1870s, where her father, Jinnah, was born. Her mother was a member of two of the elite class families of Bombay, the Petit-Tata family. Through her marriage to industrialist Neville Wadia, she belongs to the prominent Wadia family. In 2007, Dina Wadia filed a writ petition before the Mumbai High Court, claiming that Jinnah House could not be classified as "evacuee property", as her father had died without leaving behind a will and demanded that the house be handed over to her. Successive Pakistan governments often expressed deep interest in acquiring the property free of charge for sentimental reasons. During his visit to India, President Pervez Musharraf renewed Pakistan's claim to the house when he had had suggested to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee should be given to Pakistan so that it could be turned into a consulate. Dina last visited Pakistan in 2004 during a landmark cricket series between Pakistan and India on the invitation of former President General Retired Pervez Musharraf. She considered cricket diplomacy to be an enthralling dimension. Wadia had never visited Pakistan since her father's funeral in September 1948. She is survived by her only son Nusli Wadia, who is often named in the list of India's most successful and rich businessmen, and is one of the Parsi' community's most prominent and influential businessmen. Nusli is married to Maureen Wadia, a former air hostess, who heads Gladrags magazine and is one of the forces behind the Mrs. India beauty pageant. They have two sons: Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia

Muhammad Ali Jinnah's daughter Dina Wadia passes away in London

<p>Defence experts on Friday slammed China for blocking India&#39;s request at the United Nations Security Council to declare Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Defence expert P K&nbsp;Sehgal said that China&#39;s move will weaken its relationship with India. &quot;This shows that the attitude of China is same as it was earlier and there is no change in it. This will weaken India and China relationship.</p>

<p>China will never let down its client state Pakistan. China is misusing its veto power and overlooking the views of all the other countries which are supporting India,&quot; he said. Defence expert Rahul Jalali said that China is adopting the double standard on terrorism.</p>

<p>&quot;China had already said this that they will block this proposal. Earlier also they did this. On one hand China talks about curbing terrorism on other hand they block the proposal to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>China on Thursday exercised the veto against the United States-backed proposal at the UN Security Council to declare Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, citing a lack of consensus.China had earlier indicated it would block India`s request at the Security Council.</p>

<p>Hua Chunying, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a recent press conference, &quot;As for the listing application by the relevant country [India], there are disagreements. China put the technical hold so as to allow for more time to deliberate on this matter. To our regret, the committee so far has yet to reach consensus. China always maintains that on the listing matter, the 1267 Committee [Security Council Committee] shall uphold the principle of objectivity, impartiality, and professionalism, and make its decisions by consensus among its members on the basis of solid evidence.&quot;</p>

<p>The &quot;technical hold&quot; could not be extended as it expired on Thursday, and hence, China was being expected to block the request permanently.The Jaish-e-Muhammad is designated as a terrorist organization by the US&nbsp;State Department, while India accuses its leader of launching several terrorist attacks on its soil, including the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack.Following the attack, India had initiated the move to include Azhar on the UN&nbsp;terrorist list.</p>

<p>All 15 members of the Security Council, except China, supported India`s bid.China is one of the five veto-holding members of the United Nations other than United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and France.</p>


Defence experts on Friday slammed China for blocking India`s request at the United Nations Security Council to declare Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.?

Defence experts on Friday slammed China for blocking India's request at the United Nations Security Council to declare Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Defence expert P K Sehgal said that China's move will weaken its relationship with India. "This shows that the attitude of China is same as it was earlier and there is no change in it. This will weaken India and China relationship. China will never let down its client state Pakistan. China is misusing its veto power and overlooking the views of all the other countries which are supporting India," he said. Defence expert Rahul Jalali said that China is adopting the double standard on terrorism. "China had already said this that they will block this proposal. Earlier also they did this. On one hand China talks about curbing terrorism on other hand they block the proposal to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist," he said. China on Thursday exercised the veto against the United States-backed proposal at the UN Security Council to declare Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, citing a lack of consensus.China had earlier indicated it would block India`s request at the Security Council. Hua Chunying, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a recent press conference, "As for the listing application by the relevant country [India], there are disagreements. China put the technical hold so as to allow for more time to deliberate on this matter. To our regret, the committee so far has yet to reach consensus. China always maintains that on the listing matter, the 1267 Committee [Security Council Committee] shall uphold the principle of objectivity, impartiality, and professionalism, and make its decisions by consensus among its members on the basis of solid evidence." The "technical hold" could not be extended as it expired on Thursday, and hence, China was being expected to block the request permanently.The Jaish-e-Muhammad is designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department, while India accuses its leader of launching several terrorist attacks on its soil, including the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack.Following the attack, India had initiated the move to include Azhar on the UN terrorist list. All 15 members of the Security Council, except China, supported India`s bid.China is one of the five veto-holding members of the United Nations other than United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and France.

China's stand on Masood Azhar will weaken its ties with India: Defence experts

<p>In the past few months, I&rsquo;ve seen many journalists crib about the excesses of the government, slam them for the lack of morals or turn on their own organisations for suppressing stories that were inconvenient. But more disturbingly, I&rsquo;ve seen journalists come under attack for reporting the news as they see it. And some of these attacks aren&rsquo;t just by Twitter trolls.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In April this year, a HOOT study said that 54 attacks and 25 cases of threatening journalists took place in the preceding 16 months. Nearly two months after scribe Gauri Lankesh was shot outside her Bengaluru house, the case remains unsolved and the killers at large. The 2017 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders ranks India an abysmal 136 out of 180 nations. While we are doing better than Pakistan (139) and China (176), it is a sad commentary that even strife-torn Afghanistan (120) ranks better. A report by the Press Council of India states that of the over 80 journalists killed since 1990, there has been a conviction in only one case.</p>

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<h5>This isn&rsquo;t just about press freedoms, it is about people being killed for just doing their job &ndash; telling a truth that was perhaps too inconvenient.</h5>
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<p>Matters, it seems, have come to such a pass that the central government has issued an advisory to states last week to ensure all attacks on journalists are investigated promptly and perpetrators get prosecuted in a &lsquo;time-bound manner&rsquo;. The advisory to the Director Generals of Police says,&rdquo; States should also take all preventive and deterrent action as deemed required. States are already empowered to provide security to individuals based on threat perceptions.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&quot;The Fourth Estate is an important institution of the democracy. It ensures that citizens are able to express their opinions freely without any fear and coercion as provided under the Constitution of India. It is the duty of the state to ensure safety and security of the journalists who ensure that the Fourth Estate discharges this key duty,&quot; the advisory said.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
I question why such an advisory is required? Aren&rsquo;t state agencies committed to ensuring freedom of the press? We have laws. What we need is a better implementation of the criminal justice system. This isn&rsquo;t just about press freedoms, it is about people being killed for just doing their job &ndash; telling a truth that was perhaps too inconvenient.</p>

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<h5>These &lsquo;truth-adjudicating&rsquo; self-appointed guardians of civil society are anything but civil, and delegitimising media outlets and journalists are a harbinger of troubled times.</h5>
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<p><strong>Blame it on the Scribe. Carry on Trolling!</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
Trolling any journalist is easy. Perhaps killing them is too. On my own twitter profile @prasadsanyal, I&rsquo;ve described myself as &ldquo;News junkie, Foodie, Sickular, Presstitute&rdquo;. &nbsp;The self-inflicted rhetoric was my way of holding trolls at bay. When it comes to dealing with those on social media out to get me because they don&rsquo;t agree with my views, I&rsquo;m at an asymmetrical disadvantage. These &lsquo;truth-adjudicating&rsquo; self-appointed guardians of civil society are anything but civil, and delegitimising media outlets and journalists are a harbinger of troubled times.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Some of this anger vented at the media is self-inflicted - that I&rsquo;ll admit. A responsible media is one that is committed to the integrity of news and, has checks and balances to ensure that the reportage is not skewed. That said, a story has many sides and what a journalist chooses to tell is shamed by her socialisation and milieu.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
A responsible society not only engages with all news sources at its disposal but also encourages, through constant engagement, a more bi-partisan approach where every angle in a story can be adequately represented.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Media outlets are a reflection of society. Drawing room conversations blaming journalists for sensationalising news should also be an occasion to introspect. Are we as a people becoming increasingly vouyeristic? If people don&rsquo;t like what they see, then perhaps it is time to stop reading, watching and consuming whatever content is being offered and look for alternatives.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Remaining silent or blindly condemning aren&rsquo;t the only two routes available. Most media outlets have robust feedback mechanisms. Engage respectfully and be the catalyst for the change you want to see.</p>


Better implementation of the criminal justice system will put an end to impunity for crimes against journalists

In the past few months, I’ve seen many journalists crib about the excesses of the government, slam them for the lack of morals or turn on their own organisations for suppressing stories that were inconvenient. But more disturbingly, I’ve seen journalists come under attack for reporting the news as they see it. And some of these attacks aren’t just by Twitter trolls. In April this year, a HOOT study said that 54 attacks and 25 cases of threatening journalists took place in the preceding 16 months. Nearly two months after scribe Gauri Lankesh was shot outside her Bengaluru house, the case remains unsolved and the killers at large. The 2017 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders ranks India an abysmal 136 out of 180 nations. While we are doing better than Pakistan (139) and China (176), it is a sad commentary that even strife-torn Afghanistan (120) ranks better. A report by the Press Council of India states that of the over 80 journalists killed since 1990, there has been a conviction in only one case. This isn’t just about press freedoms, it is about people being killed for just doing their job – telling a truth that was perhaps too inconvenient. × Matters, it seems, have come to such a pass that the central government has issued an advisory to states last week to ensure all attacks on journalists are investigated promptly and perpetrators get prosecuted in a ‘time-bound manner’. The advisory to the Director Generals of Police says,” States should also take all preventive and deterrent action as deemed required. States are already empowered to provide security to individuals based on threat perceptions.” "The Fourth Estate is an important institution of the democracy. It ensures that citizens are able to express their opinions freely without any fear and coercion as provided under the Constitution of India. It is the duty of the state to ensure safety and security of the journalists who ensure that the Fourth Estate discharges this key duty," the advisory said. I question why such an advisory is required? Aren’t state agencies committed to ensuring freedom of the press? We have laws. What we need is a better implementation of the criminal justice system. This isn’t just about press freedoms, it is about people being killed for just doing their job – telling a truth that was perhaps too inconvenient. These ‘truth-adjudicating’ self-appointed guardians of civil society are anything but civil, and delegitimising media outlets and journalists are a harbinger of troubled times. × Blame it on the Scribe. Carry on Trolling! Trolling any journalist is easy. Perhaps killing them is too. On my own twitter profile @prasadsanyal, I’ve described myself as “News junkie, Foodie, Sickular, Presstitute”. The self-inflicted rhetoric was my way of holding trolls at bay. When it comes to dealing with those on social media out to get me because they don’t agree with my views, I’m at an asymmetrical disadvantage. These ‘truth-adjudicating’ self-appointed guardians of civil society are anything but civil, and delegitimising media outlets and journalists are a harbinger of troubled times. Some of this anger vented at the media is self-inflicted - that I’ll admit. A responsible media is one that is committed to the integrity of news and, has checks and balances to ensure that the reportage is not skewed. That said, a story has many sides and what a journalist chooses to tell is shamed by her socialisation and milieu. A responsible society not only engages with all news sources at its disposal but also encourages, through constant engagement, a more bi-partisan approach where every angle in a story can be adequately represented. Media outlets are a reflection of society. Drawing room conversations blaming journalists for sensationalising news should also be an occasion to introspect. Are we as a people becoming increasingly vouyeristic? If people don’t like what they see, then perhaps it is time to stop reading, watching and consuming whatever content is being offered and look for alternatives. Remaining silent or blindly condemning aren’t the only two routes available. Most media outlets have robust feedback mechanisms. Engage respectfully and be the catalyst for the change you want to see.

News needn't be convenient. Don't shoot the messenger

<p>Terrorists attacked on the vehicle of security forces on Thursday in Mominabad,&nbsp;Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. At least five CRPF personnel were injured today in the militant attack.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;Militants opened fire on the vehicle of the 96 Battalion CRPF at Lazibal in Anantnag district at 8.30 am,&#39;&#39; said a police official.</p>

<p>He said&nbsp;&#39;&#39;Three CRPF jawans received bullet injuries while two others were injured after getting hit by broken glass panes of the vehicle.&#39;&#39;</p>

<p>The injured personnel have been admitted to a hospital, he said, adding an operation has been launched to track down the assailants.</p>


Terrorists attack on the vehicle of security forces on Thursday in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir

Terrorists attacked on the vehicle of security forces on Thursday in Mominabad, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. At least five CRPF personnel were injured today in the militant attack. ''Militants opened fire on the vehicle of the 96 Battalion CRPF at Lazibal in Anantnag district at 8.30 am,'' said a police official. He said ''Three CRPF jawans received bullet injuries while two others were injured after getting hit by broken glass panes of the vehicle.'' The injured personnel have been admitted to a hospital, he said, adding an operation has been launched to track down the assailants.

Militants attack security vehicle, five CRPF personnel injured

<p>India has released thirteen Pakistani prisoners held in its&nbsp;jail on Thursday.</p>

<p>The released prisoners included nine fishermen, four civilian prisoners and a minor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;captives&nbsp;were sent back to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a>: 9 fishermen, 4 civilian prisoners and a minor from Pakistan repatriated earlier today via Attari-Wagah border. <a href="https://t.co/aoatjGECV0">pic.twitter.com/aoatjGECV0</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/926041385970438144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A report in BBC stated that the prisoners included two Pakistani sisters who served 10 years in jail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sisters were arrested on drug trafficking charge.&nbsp;One of them even gave birth to a girl in the prison. The girl has now turned 11 years old.</p>

<p>Also, the two countries have been swapping each others&#39;&nbsp;fishermen quite commonly.</p>

<p>India and Pakistan commonly share the Arabian Sea, because of which the fishermen mistakingly trespass each other&#39;s territorial boundaries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pakistani prisoners who&nbsp;were released today have claimed that their stay at the Indian jail was comfortable and they did not face any problem.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also said that their jailer was kind and treated them quite well.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We didn&#39;t face any problem in India. We were comfortable here. Our jailer was kind &amp; treated us well: Pakistani national repatriated today <a href="https://t.co/o1I3dByyn8">pic.twitter.com/o1I3dByyn8</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/926042306582417408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The prisoners released include 9 fishermen, 4 civilian prisoners and a minor

India has released thirteen Pakistani prisoners held in its jail on Thursday. The released prisoners included nine fishermen, four civilian prisoners and a minor. The captives were sent back to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border. #Visuals: 9 fishermen, 4 civilian prisoners and a minor from Pakistan repatriated earlier today via Attari-Wagah border. pic.twitter.com/aoatjGECV0 — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2017 × A report in BBC stated that the prisoners included two Pakistani sisters who served 10 years in jail. The sisters were arrested on drug trafficking charge. One of them even gave birth to a girl in the prison. The girl has now turned 11 years old. Also, the two countries have been swapping each others' fishermen quite commonly. India and Pakistan commonly share the Arabian Sea, because of which the fishermen mistakingly trespass each other's territorial boundaries. The Pakistani prisoners who were released today have claimed that their stay at the Indian jail was comfortable and they did not face any problem. They also said that their jailer was kind and treated them quite well. We didn't face any problem in India. We were comfortable here. Our jailer was kind & treated us well: Pakistani national repatriated today pic.twitter.com/o1I3dByyn8 — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2017 ×

India releases 13 Pakistani prisoners

<p>Recently, concluded first plenum of 19th Congress of Communist Party of China (CPC) helped in consolidating Chinese President Xi Jinping position as a core leader, included his thought in the constitution of the party as Xi Jinping thought of Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era along with his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative(BRI); and finally his emphasis on Chinese military modernisation, where army must be controlled by the communist party of China.</p>

<p>Now, one needs to carefully analyse the implications of these developments for Indian strategic and security interests in particular and foreign policy in general. Indeed, Chinese President Xi Jinping is the third most influential political leader after Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping in Chinese political history. China has world&rsquo;s second largest GDP in nominal terms $11,199,145 and hence, no short of money for Chinese military modernisation.</p>

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<h5>As a chairman of Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping has reiterated &lsquo;basic mechanisation&rsquo; by 2020, &lsquo;complete modernisation&rsquo; by 2035; and finally having &lsquo;world-class military&rsquo; by 2050.</h5>
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<p>China has increased their military spending 118 per cent between 2007 and 2016 along with biggest military spender in Asia and Oceania. As the chairman of Central Military Commission (CMC), Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated &lsquo;basic mechanisation&rsquo; by 2020, &lsquo;complete modernisation&rsquo; by 2035&nbsp;and finally having &lsquo;world-class military&rsquo; by 2050. He also asked the people&rsquo;s liberation army (PLA) to be prepared for not just fight but win a war at any time.</p>

<p>In this background, it would be important to observe profiles of some important diplomats and military leaders. To begin with, one of the top diplomats, Yang Jiechi who is a state councillor; and special representative of India-China Border Dispute Talk Mechanism has been retained as a politburo and central committee (CC) member of the CPC.</p>

<p>The Central Committee (204 members) is the third largest decision-making body after Politburo Standing Committee (7-members PBSC) and Politburo (25 members including PBSC) of the CPC. It is also presumed that current foreign minister; Wang Yi will replace Yang Jiechi as a new state councillor and special representative in upcoming next plenum of 19th Congress of CPC in March-2018.</p>

<p>The head of Western Command of PLA in Sichuan, General Zhao Zongqi has been promoted as a central committee member. He is in-charge of India-China boundary disputes on the ground and played a very crucial role during 73-days long Doklam faceoff recently. General Xu Qiliang has been retained as a vice-chairman CMC of the CPC. The names of newly elected vice-chairman Zhang Youxia, and members of CMC are Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmini. It is to be noted that Chinese infrastructure development and logistics are in much better condition than Indian side of the border. China is also working on hi-speed train projects to these border areas with central parts of China.</p>

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<h5>Xi Jinping tries to build his legacy in next 30 years with the help of his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a grand strategy of China.</h5>
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<p>One can say that Chinese President Xi Jinping tries to build his legacy in next 30 years with the help of his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a grand strategy of China. The Chinese official argument behind BRI is that to build a world community of shared destiny based on the sovereignty and national interests of every country in the world.</p>

<p>But what we notice in the case of their sensitivities towards &lsquo;Indian sovereignty and national interests&rsquo; that despite Indian government repetitive protests, China is already involved in infrastructure development projects like construction of motorways, railways, bridges, tunnel and dams in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan. In fact, China started building Karakoram highways in 1957 to increase their strategic influence in this disputed PoK region. No doubt, China-Pakistan Military Nexus is a strategic reality, which has been done against India. Today, both Chinese and Pakistani armies do joint patrolling in the disputed PoK region.</p>

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<h5>With the help of BRI, China wants to increase their strategic influence in South Asia and Indian Ocean region.</h5>
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<p>With the help of BRI, China wants to increase their strategic influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. China is giving loans to India&rsquo;s neighbouring countries, such as Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan. China&rsquo;s new assertiveness towards South Asia and the Indian Ocean region is a manifestation of asymmetric military and economic capabilities between China and India.</p>

<p>One can witness this assertiveness and strategic signalling in the tone and tenor of psychological warfare and threatening and immature words used against India during the recent 73-days long Doklam faceoff. In fact, Doklam faceoff was an ad-hoc diplomatic victory because even Chinese PLA Major General Qiao Liang justified withdrawal of troops in order to secure strategic position and to host BRICS Xiament Summit 2017 between 3rd and 5th Sep-2017; and 19th congress of Chinese communist party between 18th and 25th Oct-2017.</p>

<p>These South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Pakistan are already raising the concerns about repayment of Chinese loans and debts. There are some questions which need to be answered in this context. What if these south small Asian countries default on their repayment of Chinese loan and its high-interest rates?</p>

<p>If China is serious about building a world community of shared destiny based on the sovereignty and national interests then, why it did not consult all the participating countries before unilaterally setting the agendas for BRI forum at Beijing on 14-15 May 2017?</p>

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<h5>BRI is a Chinese initiative launched for safeguarding the Chinese strategic and national interests.</h5>
</blockquote>
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<p>No doubt, BRI is a Chinese initiative launched for safeguarding the Chinese strategic and national interests. In the foreseeable future, one cannot discount the possibilities of another India-China boundary disputes because, in Chinese power calculus, India is considered as a junior power merely due to asymmetry in economic and military capabilities of both countries.</p>


Chinese initiative for safeguarding the Chinese strategic and national interests seem alarming for India

Recently, concluded first plenum of 19th Congress of Communist Party of China (CPC) helped in consolidating Chinese President Xi Jinping position as a core leader, included his thought in the constitution of the party as Xi Jinping thought of Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era along with his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative(BRI); and finally his emphasis on Chinese military modernisation, where army must be controlled by the communist party of China. Now, one needs to carefully analyse the implications of these developments for Indian strategic and security interests in particular and foreign policy in general. Indeed, Chinese President Xi Jinping is the third most influential political leader after Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping in Chinese political history. China has world’s second largest GDP in nominal terms $11,199,145 and hence, no short of money for Chinese military modernisation. As a chairman of Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping has reiterated ‘basic mechanisation’ by 2020, ‘complete modernisation’ by 2035; and finally having ‘world-class military’ by 2050. × China has increased their military spending 118 per cent between 2007 and 2016 along with biggest military spender in Asia and Oceania. As the chairman of Central Military Commission (CMC), Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated ‘basic mechanisation’ by 2020, ‘complete modernisation’ by 2035 and finally having ‘world-class military’ by 2050. He also asked the people’s liberation army (PLA) to be prepared for not just fight but win a war at any time. In this background, it would be important to observe profiles of some important diplomats and military leaders. To begin with, one of the top diplomats, Yang Jiechi who is a state councillor; and special representative of India-China Border Dispute Talk Mechanism has been retained as a politburo and central committee (CC) member of the CPC. The Central Committee (204 members) is the third largest decision-making body after Politburo Standing Committee (7-members PBSC) and Politburo (25 members including PBSC) of the CPC. It is also presumed that current foreign minister; Wang Yi will replace Yang Jiechi as a new state councillor and special representative in upcoming next plenum of 19th Congress of CPC in March-2018. The head of Western Command of PLA in Sichuan, General Zhao Zongqi has been promoted as a central committee member. He is in-charge of India-China boundary disputes on the ground and played a very crucial role during 73-days long Doklam faceoff recently. General Xu Qiliang has been retained as a vice-chairman CMC of the CPC. The names of newly elected vice-chairman Zhang Youxia, and members of CMC are Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmini. It is to be noted that Chinese infrastructure development and logistics are in much better condition than Indian side of the border. China is also working on hi-speed train projects to these border areas with central parts of China. Xi Jinping tries to build his legacy in next 30 years with the help of his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a grand strategy of China. × One can say that Chinese President Xi Jinping tries to build his legacy in next 30 years with the help of his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a grand strategy of China. The Chinese official argument behind BRI is that to build a world community of shared destiny based on the sovereignty and national interests of every country in the world. But what we notice in the case of their sensitivities towards ‘Indian sovereignty and national interests’ that despite Indian government repetitive protests, China is already involved in infrastructure development projects like construction of motorways, railways, bridges, tunnel and dams in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan. In fact, China started building Karakoram highways in 1957 to increase their strategic influence in this disputed PoK region. No doubt, China-Pakistan Military Nexus is a strategic reality, which has been done against India. Today, both Chinese and Pakistani armies do joint patrolling in the disputed PoK region. With the help of BRI, China wants to increase their strategic influence in South Asia and Indian Ocean region. × With the help of BRI, China wants to increase their strategic influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. China is giving loans to India’s neighbouring countries, such as Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan. China’s new assertiveness towards South Asia and the Indian Ocean region is a manifestation of asymmetric military and economic capabilities between China and India. One can witness this assertiveness and strategic signalling in the tone and tenor of psychological warfare and threatening and immature words used against India during the recent 73-days long Doklam faceoff. In fact, Doklam faceoff was an ad-hoc diplomatic victory because even Chinese PLA Major General Qiao Liang justified withdrawal of troops in order to secure strategic position and to host BRICS Xiament Summit 2017 between 3rd and 5th Sep-2017; and 19th congress of Chinese communist party between 18th and 25th Oct-2017. These South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Pakistan are already raising the concerns about repayment of Chinese loans and debts. There are some questions which need to be answered in this context. What if these south small Asian countries default on their repayment of Chinese loan and its high-interest rates? If China is serious about building a world community of shared destiny based on the sovereignty and national interests then, why it did not consult all the participating countries before unilaterally setting the agendas for BRI forum at Beijing on 14-15 May 2017? BRI is a Chinese initiative launched for safeguarding the Chinese strategic and national interests. × No doubt, BRI is a Chinese initiative launched for safeguarding the Chinese strategic and national interests. In the foreseeable future, one cannot discount the possibilities of another India-China boundary disputes because, in Chinese power calculus, India is considered as a junior power merely due to asymmetry in economic and military capabilities of both countries.

China's growing strategic influence in Asia is a threat to India

<p>Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain has been charged with terror funding and money laundering, after Pakistani&#39;s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted an interim charge-sheet before the administrative judge of the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs).</p>

<p>Hussain and others were booked by FIA&#39;s State Bank Circle earlier this month on the complaint of UK based businessman Sarfaraz Merchant.</p>

<p>The FIA had named MQM&#39;s Senator Babar Ghauri, Karachi Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, Khawaja Rehan and Senator Ahmed Ali as co-accused.</p>

<p>Investigating officer (IO) Mohammad Ali Abro named the MQM founder as absconder interim investigation report filed on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the charge-sheet does not mention the residential addresses of the absconding accused.</p>

<p>The co-accused have not been named in the charge-sheet, nor shown as exonerated of charges.</p>

<p>The administrative judge of the ATCs sent the case to ATC-II for formal trial.</p>

<p>The FIA said the co-accused sent money to the MQM founder through the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF), the party&#39;s charity wing and KKF was used as a source of illegal money transfer to Hussain.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Pakistani's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted an interim charge-sheet before the administrative judge of the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs).

Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain has been charged with terror funding and money laundering, after Pakistani's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted an interim charge-sheet before the administrative judge of the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs). Hussain and others were booked by FIA's State Bank Circle earlier this month on the complaint of UK based businessman Sarfaraz Merchant. The FIA had named MQM's Senator Babar Ghauri, Karachi Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, Khawaja Rehan and Senator Ahmed Ali as co-accused. Investigating officer (IO) Mohammad Ali Abro named the MQM founder as absconder interim investigation report filed on Tuesday. However, the charge-sheet does not mention the residential addresses of the absconding accused. The co-accused have not been named in the charge-sheet, nor shown as exonerated of charges. The administrative judge of the ATCs sent the case to ATC-II for formal trial. The FIA said the co-accused sent money to the MQM founder through the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF), the party's charity wing and KKF was used as a source of illegal money transfer to Hussain.

MQM founder Altaf Hussain charged with terror funding, money laundering

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-test-pakistan-and-give-them-information-to-act-against-terrorists-tillerson-to-uscommittee-23300" target="_blank">Will test Pakistan and give them information to act against terrorists: Tillerson to US committee</a></p>

<p>US secretary of state Rex Tillerson informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that Pakistan is willing to target terrorists if provided information by the US government.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/constitute-special-courts-to-finish-pending-cases-against-mps-mlas-supreme-court-to-government-23298" target="_blank">Constitute special courts to finish pending cases against MPs, MLAs: Supreme Court to government</a></p>

<p>The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to constitute special courts on the lines of &quot;fast-track courts&quot; in order to quickly finish cases pending against MPs and MLAs in the country.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-ash-pipe-explodes-at-ntpc-100-injured-23311" target="_blank">Watch: Ash-pipe explodes at NTPC in UP; four dead, 50 injured</a></p>

<p>UP ADG has said that about 60-70 people sustained injuries in the incident. The District Magistrate had previously reported 100 injuries.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/life-ban-for-convicted-mps-mlas-election-commission-to-supreme-court-6483" target="_blank">Life ban for convicted MPs, MLAs: Election Commission to Supreme Court</a></p>

<p>The Election Commission said that it had written to the government to amend the law in this regard.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tiger-zinda-hai-katrina-kaif-can-kill-you-with-her-intense-gaze-in-this-new-still-23290" target="_blank">Tiger Zinda Hai: Katrina Kaif can kill you with her intense gaze in this new still</a></p>

<p>Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar shared a new still from his upcoming film Tiger Zinda Hai on Wednesday. Featuring Katrina Kaif, Zafar captioned the photo as, &quot;Zoya , if eyes could kill #Katrina kaif @TigerZindaHai(sic)&quot;</p>


Will test Pakistan and give them information to act against terrorists: Tillerson to US committee US secretary of state Rex Tillerson informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that Pakistan is willing to target terrorists if provided information by the US government. Constitute special courts to finish pending cases against MPs, MLAs: Supreme Court to government The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to constitute special courts on the lines of "fast-track courts" in order to quickly finish cases pending against MPs and MLAs in the country. Watch: Ash-pipe explodes at NTPC in UP; four dead, 50 injured UP ADG has said that about 60-70 people sustained injuries in the incident. The District Magistrate had previously reported 100 injuries. Life ban for convicted MPs, MLAs: Election Commission to Supreme Court The Election Commission said that it had written to the government to amend the law in this regard. Tiger Zinda Hai: Katrina Kaif can kill you with her intense gaze in this new still Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar shared a new still from his upcoming film Tiger Zinda Hai on Wednesday. Featuring Katrina Kaif, Zafar captioned the photo as, "Zoya , if eyes could kill #Katrina kaif @TigerZindaHai(sic)"

WION Evening News Brief, Nov 1 2017

<p>In a big blow to Pakistan&#39;s energy needs, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-citizens-gasp-for-clean-air-17137">American oil giant ExxonMobil has decided to quit </a>Pakistan over differences among the six-member group behind the project in Port Qasim, Karachi.</p>

<p>The deal is set to hit <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bangladesh-set-to-sign-gasoil-deal-with-india-22602">Pakistan&#39;s Iran pipeline project since the country</a> is strategically located in the pipeline grid for LNG.</p>

<p>LNG imports have transformed Pakistan since it was first introduced two years ago. However, this time Pakistan is set to experience major gas shortages in the coming winter which could become a key election issue next year.</p>

<p>A senior Pakistani government official speaking to Reuters put the chances of success for the project, set to be Pakistan&#39;s third and biggest by import capacity, at 10-20 percent due to the disagreements.</p>

<p>Exxon was pulling out because it had &quot;issues with partners&quot;, particularly the developer, GEIL, one energy official told Reuters.</p>

<p>They are thinking to build a new terminal in Port Qasim,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s Maritime Affairs minister Hasil Bizenjo said.</p>

<p>Pakistan authorities are now actively looking for new partners with most players keen on developing Port Qasim.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new project would include a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), where LNG will be converted back into gas for feeding into the country&#39;s grid.</p>

<p>Pakistan plans to add its second LNG import terminal by the end of this year, but private companies have proposed building six more largely around Port Qasim.</p>

<p>Pakistan had begun work on the Iran pipeline in the mid-2000s which would have also included India and China but the US government put pressure on Pak government not to deal with Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pipeline is now in various stages of completion with no set date for its inauguration.</p>


The deal is set to hit Pakistan's Iran pipeline project since the country is strategically located in the pipeline grid for LNG.

In a big blow to Pakistan's energy needs, American oil giant ExxonMobil has decided to quit Pakistan over differences among the six-member group behind the project in Port Qasim, Karachi. The deal is set to hit Pakistan's Iran pipeline project since the country is strategically located in the pipeline grid for LNG. LNG imports have transformed Pakistan since it was first introduced two years ago. However, this time Pakistan is set to experience major gas shortages in the coming winter which could become a key election issue next year. A senior Pakistani government official speaking to Reuters put the chances of success for the project, set to be Pakistan's third and biggest by import capacity, at 10-20 percent due to the disagreements. Exxon was pulling out because it had "issues with partners", particularly the developer, GEIL, one energy official told Reuters. They are thinking to build a new terminal in Port Qasim," Pakistan's Maritime Affairs minister Hasil Bizenjo said. Pakistan authorities are now actively looking for new partners with most players keen on developing Port Qasim. The new project would include a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), where LNG will be converted back into gas for feeding into the country's grid. Pakistan plans to add its second LNG import terminal by the end of this year, but private companies have proposed building six more largely around Port Qasim. Pakistan had begun work on the Iran pipeline in the mid-2000s which would have also included India and China but the US government put pressure on Pak government not to deal with Iran. The pipeline is now in various stages of completion with no set date for its inauguration.

Pakistan's LNG plans hit as ExxonMobil pulls out

<p>Pakistan on Monday confirmed the death of two Chinese nationals who were kidnapped in the southwestern city of Quetta, the foreign office said, months after the Islamic State group claimed it had killed them.</p>

<p>The pair, a man and a woman, were abducted in May this year from the city, capital of restive Balochistan province, which is at the heart of a multi-million dollar investment by Beijing in Pakistan but is also wracked by militancy.</p>

<p>They were dragged into a car by three unknown men, witnesses said, adding that another Chinese woman managed to escape.</p>

<p>In June the Islamic State group claimed it had killed them, but there had been no confirmation of their deaths from Pakistani or Chinese authorities.</p>

<p>&quot;The DNA reports have confirmed that the two persons killed in Balochistan in June 2017 were the same two Chinese nationals, who were kidnapped from Quetta in May, 2017,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s foreign office said in a statement.</p>

<p>It did not give further detail on when or how their bodies were recovered. In September some local media reports suggested the bodies of two Chinese people had been found in Balochistan.</p>

<p>Authorities originally said the pair were studying Urdu at a local language centre, but Pakistan&#39;s interior ministry later said they had been preaching in Quetta. It did not specify what kind of preachers they were.</p>

<p>Hundreds of Chinese nationals started to pour into Pakistan after Beijing ramped up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a plan to link its far-western Xinjiang region to Gwadar port in Balochistan with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades.</p>

<p>The corridor is one of the largest projects in Beijing&#39;s &quot;One Belt One Road&quot; initiative, comprising a network of road and sea routes involving 65 countries.</p>

<p>Pakistan has been battling Islamist and nationalist insurgencies in mineral-rich Balochistan since 2004, with hundreds of soldiers and militants killed in the fighting.</p>

<p>The IS group has been making inroads in the country through alliances with local militant outfits, although its presence is generally downplayed by the government.</p>


Pakistan on Monday confirmed the death of two Chinese nationals who were kidnapped in the southwestern city of Quetta, the foreign office said, months after the Islamic State group claimed it had killed them.

Pakistan on Monday confirmed the death of two Chinese nationals who were kidnapped in the southwestern city of Quetta, the foreign office said, months after the Islamic State group claimed it had killed them. The pair, a man and a woman, were abducted in May this year from the city, capital of restive Balochistan province, which is at the heart of a multi-million dollar investment by Beijing in Pakistan but is also wracked by militancy. They were dragged into a car by three unknown men, witnesses said, adding that another Chinese woman managed to escape. In June the Islamic State group claimed it had killed them, but there had been no confirmation of their deaths from Pakistani or Chinese authorities. "The DNA reports have confirmed that the two persons killed in Balochistan in June 2017 were the same two Chinese nationals, who were kidnapped from Quetta in May, 2017," Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement. It did not give further detail on when or how their bodies were recovered. In September some local media reports suggested the bodies of two Chinese people had been found in Balochistan. Authorities originally said the pair were studying Urdu at a local language centre, but Pakistan's interior ministry later said they had been preaching in Quetta. It did not specify what kind of preachers they were. Hundreds of Chinese nationals started to pour into Pakistan after Beijing ramped up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a plan to link its far-western Xinjiang region to Gwadar port in Balochistan with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades. The corridor is one of the largest projects in Beijing's "One Belt One Road" initiative, comprising a network of road and sea routes involving 65 countries. Pakistan has been battling Islamist and nationalist insurgencies in mineral-rich Balochistan since 2004, with hundreds of soldiers and militants killed in the fighting. The IS group has been making inroads in the country through alliances with local militant outfits, although its presence is generally downplayed by the government.

Pakistan confirms killing of two Chinese 'kidnapped by IS'

<p>Pakistan has returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States that were given to them to monitor its border with Afghanistan.</p>

<p>According to the Geo News, the US&nbsp;gave a total of nine helicopters to Pakistan in 2002, out of which four were returned on October 15.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Interior&#39;s air wing had been using the choppers for anti-narcotics operations and combating terrorism, according to sources.</p>

<p>Now, it would be difficult to monitor the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as the Ministry of Interior is left with only three Cessna aircraft in the air wing, the insiders added</p>


Pakistan has returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States that were given to them to monitor its border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan has returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States that were given to them to monitor its border with Afghanistan. According to the Geo News, the US gave a total of nine helicopters to Pakistan in 2002, out of which four were returned on October 15. The Ministry of Interior's air wing had been using the choppers for anti-narcotics operations and combating terrorism, according to sources. Now, it would be difficult to monitor the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as the Ministry of Interior is left with only three Cessna aircraft in the air wing, the insiders added

Pakistan returns helicopters given by US

<p>In June 2015, this correspondent was fresh out of college and working for a back-packers&#39; hostel in Daryaganj in central Delhi. The job was to design walking tours of the city and arranging a rich cultural experience for guests from across the world. It was during this period that one got to know Chintan Girish Modi, the founder of an India-Pakistan friendship initiative, Aao Dosti Karein (Let&#39;s be friends) or Friendships Across Borders (FAB), that utilises the power of internet and technology to change minds.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On a summer afternoon, Chintan was busy chatting animatedly with a Pakistani couple in their 50s, who were on a tour of India. After a 30-minute chat, they discovered they had common friends. The couple looked out of place because they were the only people their age in a hostel full of young backpackers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A talk with Chintan revealed that he worked to build friendships between Indians and Pakistanis. The so-called &lsquo;broad-minded, modern, cosmopolitan Delhi-girl&rsquo; that one thought one was, the instinctive question on my mind was -- Is friendship even possible?</p>

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<p>Chintan Girish Modi with his friend Aliya from Pakistan (left), Artwork (right) by Kirthi Jayakumar from Chennai to symbolise love, peace, unity, hope, and strength (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION)</p>
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<p>Chintan related tales of his travels in Pakistan. He had visited Lahore. Was it even safe to go there, one wondered. The questions stayed with one. Ours is a generation increasingly connected by Internet. Many of us use it to stay in touch with our friends from across the border whom we may have met while studying or travelling abroad. WION decided to reach out young Indians and Pakistanis through and online survey: &nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<strong>&#39;Indians and Pakistanis be friends?&#39; &nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
We reached out to 336 respondents between the ages of 18 years and 30 years of whom 193 are Pakistanis, while 143 are Indians. We sought responses from college students and professionals working for major corporate houses in cities of India and Pakistan like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata in India and Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
From the responses, it appears that friendship is definitely possible. Of the Pakistanis we got responses from, 55 per cent seemed very fond of India. In India, 18 per cent said they had positive feelings to Pakistan, while 42 per cent said they had neutral feelings toward their neighbour.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>55% people in Pakistan expressed positive feelings towards their neighbouring nation. (WION)</p>
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<p>When asked what was the main reason they would want to befriend someone from across the border &ndash; the shared culture emerged as the main factor &ndash; 42 per cent Indians and 60 per cent Pakistanis felt it was the main thing that brought the two countries together.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;I love everything about India - it is absurd to base your perceptions on political differences. We are much more than that,&rdquo; Raza Khan, a student of University of Karachi from Pakistan wrote as a part of his response.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Coke Studio, Lahore Fort, same as us, Sufi music, delicious food, Pakistani serials, cricket matches were the most instant &nbsp;answers to things the neighbours liked about each other. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;I visited Pakistan on an exchange programme and felt like I&rsquo;m in some part of Old Delhi. I didn&rsquo;t feel there was much difference between the two countries,&rdquo; said Madhurima Chopra, an engineering student from Delhi. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The citizens of both the countries are also keen on visiting the other. About 45 per cent Indians said yes, while 26 per cent said may be. Pakistanis (75% ) also want to visit India someday. &ldquo;I have heard a lot about the Lahore Fort. I&rsquo;d love to see it someday,&rdquo; says Arushi Chand, an architecture student from Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Around 75% people in Pakistan would want to visit India someday (WION)</p>
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<p><br />
&nbsp;<br />
These respondents are also hopeful that the differences between the two nations can be resolved -- 34.3 per cent Indians and about 75 per cent Pakistanis believe it can definitely happen. Some Indians (25%) and Pakistanis (23%) are unsure about that happening, but hope it happens. &ldquo;The differences are only in our minds&rdquo; said Syed Muhamed Qasim, working in an electronics MNC in Lahore.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>A major share in both countries believe that their differences can be resolved (WION)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of them were open about having friends on the other side of the border. Fifty per cent Indians would like to have friends in Pakistan and 17 per cent already do. Fifty-one per cent of the Pakistanis respondents have friends in India and 40 per cent were interested in having one. &ldquo;I have plenty of friends in India and they are no different from my friends here,&rdquo; said Amira Khan, a student from Rawalpindi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Both countries are willing to have friends on the other side of the border. (WION)</p>
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<p><br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Separated by a border, virtually friends&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
Internet, the largest community in history, is a technology without borders. India and Pakistan -- separated by a decades-old animosity, can explore friendships that would otherwise never be.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Pakistan has been a part of Chintan&rsquo;s imagination ever since he was a child.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;When I was a kid, adults asked me where I would like to go when I grew up? I would say Pakistan. For an Indian child to say this seems quite strange to people. But all I heard about Pakistan when I was growing up was that it was a dangerous place. That the people were mean. I would not come back alive if I went there. I was not convinced. How could a place be all bad? I was curious and wanted to check it out for myself.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Modi got the opportunity to visit Pakistan during an exchange project. Friendships formed during this time showed him another way to think about Pakistan &ndash; quite different from the tone of most media, history textbooks, and news. &ldquo;I had a growing urge to make these experiences and opportunities available to other people, to let them participate and interact with folks across the border. And so Aao Dosti Karein: Friendships Across Borders (FAB) was formed,&rdquo; said Modi. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;I also visit schools in India to talk to students about my experiences in Pakistan. All our interactions are based on questions the children had. It was an enriching experience for me as well. I began thinking about combining social media and interactions with young people. That&rsquo;s how FAB started. However, FAB owes tremendously to friends who have volunteered their time and support and organised speaking engagements.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The project has contributors and volunteers of diverse backgrounds including a poet, a journalist, an arts manager, a historian, a filmmaker, and students from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
An inspiring <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fabaaodostikarein/photos/a.250723438441144.1073741833.245356592311162/526053360908149/?type=3">story</a> is the one of Devika from Delhi and Aliya from Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Devika Mittal (right) from India and Aliya Harir (left) from Pakistan share an everlasting bond (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Devika Mittal is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology at the Delhi School of Economics. (WION)</p>
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<p>Aliya Harir has a Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. (WION)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A part of the motivation for FAB is to show the different forms that peace can take, and provide alternatives to the powerlessness that people feel. &ldquo;What you and I can do is make friends even if we can&rsquo;t sign treaties.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
These are relationships that the internet enables and makes that much easier. &nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;Indians and Pakistanis can connect on online platforms &nbsp;even when the visa regime makes physical travel difficult.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
Students from India sent messages to Pakistan after the attack on the army school in Peshawar in solidarity and condolence to the families of the slain children. There is hope yet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Messages from Indian students of Ecole Mondiale World School (Mumbai) and Heritage School (Gurgaon) to Pakistan after the attack on army school in Peshawar (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;&quot;The only true borders lie between day and night, between life and death, between hope and loss&quot; - Erin Hunter</p>


Youngsters from India and Pakistan say their shared culture is the strongest factor for forging friendships

In June 2015, this correspondent was fresh out of college and working for a back-packers' hostel in Daryaganj in central Delhi. The job was to design walking tours of the city and arranging a rich cultural experience for guests from across the world. It was during this period that one got to know Chintan Girish Modi, the founder of an India-Pakistan friendship initiative, Aao Dosti Karein (Let's be friends) or Friendships Across Borders (FAB), that utilises the power of internet and technology to change minds. On a summer afternoon, Chintan was busy chatting animatedly with a Pakistani couple in their 50s, who were on a tour of India. After a 30-minute chat, they discovered they had common friends. The couple looked out of place because they were the only people their age in a hostel full of young backpackers. A talk with Chintan revealed that he worked to build friendships between Indians and Pakistanis. The so-called ‘broad-minded, modern, cosmopolitan Delhi-girl’ that one thought one was, the instinctive question on my mind was -- Is friendship even possible? Chintan Girish Modi with his friend Aliya from Pakistan (left), Artwork (right) by Kirthi Jayakumar from Chennai to symbolise love, peace, unity, hope, and strength (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION) × Chintan related tales of his travels in Pakistan. He had visited Lahore. Was it even safe to go there, one wondered. The questions stayed with one. Ours is a generation increasingly connected by Internet. Many of us use it to stay in touch with our friends from across the border whom we may have met while studying or travelling abroad. WION decided to reach out young Indians and Pakistanis through and online survey: 'Indians and Pakistanis be friends?' We reached out to 336 respondents between the ages of 18 years and 30 years of whom 193 are Pakistanis, while 143 are Indians. We sought responses from college students and professionals working for major corporate houses in cities of India and Pakistan like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata in India and Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. From the responses, it appears that friendship is definitely possible. Of the Pakistanis we got responses from, 55 per cent seemed very fond of India. In India, 18 per cent said they had positive feelings to Pakistan, while 42 per cent said they had neutral feelings toward their neighbour. 55% people in Pakistan expressed positive feelings towards their neighbouring nation. (WION) × When asked what was the main reason they would want to befriend someone from across the border – the shared culture emerged as the main factor – 42 per cent Indians and 60 per cent Pakistanis felt it was the main thing that brought the two countries together. “I love everything about India - it is absurd to base your perceptions on political differences. We are much more than that,” Raza Khan, a student of University of Karachi from Pakistan wrote as a part of his response. Coke Studio, Lahore Fort, same as us, Sufi music, delicious food, Pakistani serials, cricket matches were the most instant answers to things the neighbours liked about each other. “I visited Pakistan on an exchange programme and felt like I’m in some part of Old Delhi. I didn’t feel there was much difference between the two countries,” said Madhurima Chopra, an engineering student from Delhi. The citizens of both the countries are also keen on visiting the other. About 45 per cent Indians said yes, while 26 per cent said may be. Pakistanis (75% ) also want to visit India someday. “I have heard a lot about the Lahore Fort. I’d love to see it someday,” says Arushi Chand, an architecture student from Delhi. Around 75% people in Pakistan would want to visit India someday (WION) × These respondents are also hopeful that the differences between the two nations can be resolved -- 34.3 per cent Indians and about 75 per cent Pakistanis believe it can definitely happen. Some Indians (25%) and Pakistanis (23%) are unsure about that happening, but hope it happens. “The differences are only in our minds” said Syed Muhamed Qasim, working in an electronics MNC in Lahore. A major share in both countries believe that their differences can be resolved (WION) × Most of them were open about having friends on the other side of the border. Fifty per cent Indians would like to have friends in Pakistan and 17 per cent already do. Fifty-one per cent of the Pakistanis respondents have friends in India and 40 per cent were interested in having one. “I have plenty of friends in India and they are no different from my friends here,” said Amira Khan, a student from Rawalpindi. Both countries are willing to have friends on the other side of the border. (WION) × Separated by a border, virtually friends Internet, the largest community in history, is a technology without borders. India and Pakistan -- separated by a decades-old animosity, can explore friendships that would otherwise never be. Pakistan has been a part of Chintan’s imagination ever since he was a child. “When I was a kid, adults asked me where I would like to go when I grew up? I would say Pakistan. For an Indian child to say this seems quite strange to people. But all I heard about Pakistan when I was growing up was that it was a dangerous place. That the people were mean. I would not come back alive if I went there. I was not convinced. How could a place be all bad? I was curious and wanted to check it out for myself.” Modi got the opportunity to visit Pakistan during an exchange project. Friendships formed during this time showed him another way to think about Pakistan – quite different from the tone of most media, history textbooks, and news. “I had a growing urge to make these experiences and opportunities available to other people, to let them participate and interact with folks across the border. And so Aao Dosti Karein: Friendships Across Borders (FAB) was formed,” said Modi. “I also visit schools in India to talk to students about my experiences in Pakistan. All our interactions are based on questions the children had. It was an enriching experience for me as well. I began thinking about combining social media and interactions with young people. That’s how FAB started. However, FAB owes tremendously to friends who have volunteered their time and support and organised speaking engagements.” The project has contributors and volunteers of diverse backgrounds including a poet, a journalist, an arts manager, a historian, a filmmaker, and students from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. An inspiring story is the one of Devika from Delhi and Aliya from Islamabad. Devika Mittal (right) from India and Aliya Harir (left) from Pakistan share an everlasting bond (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION) × Devika Mittal is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology at the Delhi School of Economics. (WION) × Aliya Harir has a Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. (WION) × A part of the motivation for FAB is to show the different forms that peace can take, and provide alternatives to the powerlessness that people feel. “What you and I can do is make friends even if we can’t sign treaties.” These are relationships that the internet enables and makes that much easier. “Indians and Pakistanis can connect on online platforms even when the visa regime makes physical travel difficult.” Students from India sent messages to Pakistan after the attack on the army school in Peshawar in solidarity and condolence to the families of the slain children. There is hope yet. Messages from Indian students of Ecole Mondiale World School (Mumbai) and Heritage School (Gurgaon) to Pakistan after the attack on army school in Peshawar (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION) × "The only true borders lie between day and night, between life and death, between hope and loss" - Erin Hunter

Keeping aside hate, Indians and Pakistanis enter into virtual friendship

<p>The Sri Lankan cricket team arrived here, eight years after they suffered a gun and grenade attack, under heavy security to play the final Twenty20 International of a three-match series against Pakistan.</p>

<p>International cricket was suspended in Pakistan after the 2009 gun attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which left eight people killed and seven visiting players and their staff members injured.</p>

<p>Upon their arrival here last night, the Sri Lankan players and the officials were straightaway taken to a five- star hotel in a bomb-proof bus with hundreds of elite police commandos and the paramilitary rangers providing high-level security.</p>

<p>Several Lankan players and officials, including the survivors who came under gunfire in 2009 and their head coach, had opted out of the Twenty20 fixture after some voiced concern about security.</p>

<p>The 24-member strong Sri Lankan contingent became the first major international team to visit the country since the incident.</p>

<p>In the last eight years, Pakistan have only managed to get minnows Zimbabwe to tour Lahore in 2015, besides hosting the final of Pakistan Super League and a three-match Twenty20 series against a World XI, comprised of players from seven countries, earlier this year.</p>

<p>The attack on the Sri Lankan team led to international teams refusing to tour Pakistan and the ICC also relocated all matches of the 2011 World Cup, which were to be held in Pakistan, because no one was willing to play in the country.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka has played two Tests, five One-day Internationals and the first two Twenty20 matches of the series in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan&#39;s neutral venue since 2009.</p>

<p>But Sri Lanka agreed to travel to Pakistan for the third and final T20 match.</p>

<p>An hour before the Sri Lankans arrived from Abu Dhabi, the Pakistan team had also reached the city from Dubai.</p>

<p>Besides the team and officials, Sri Lanka&#39;s sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala are also on the tour.</p>

<p>They were all greeted by fully armed elite commandos, Inspector-General of Punjab police, the Lahore Mayor, top ranking Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and other government dignitaries on the runaway and within no time were whisked away in bulletproof vehicles to their hotel from the terminal.</p>

<p>All the roads from the airport to the hotel were sealed off and one hour before the Sri Lankan team was due to land, the security forces had cordoned off all entrances and exit points at the airport.</p>

<p>Mobile phone services were also temporarily suspended in the area, where the hotel is located.&nbsp;</p>


The 24-member strong Sri Lankan contingent became the first major international team to visit the country since the 2009 gun attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore

The Sri Lankan cricket team arrived here, eight years after they suffered a gun and grenade attack, under heavy security to play the final Twenty20 International of a three-match series against Pakistan. International cricket was suspended in Pakistan after the 2009 gun attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which left eight people killed and seven visiting players and their staff members injured. Upon their arrival here last night, the Sri Lankan players and the officials were straightaway taken to a five- star hotel in a bomb-proof bus with hundreds of elite police commandos and the paramilitary rangers providing high-level security. Several Lankan players and officials, including the survivors who came under gunfire in 2009 and their head coach, had opted out of the Twenty20 fixture after some voiced concern about security. The 24-member strong Sri Lankan contingent became the first major international team to visit the country since the incident. In the last eight years, Pakistan have only managed to get minnows Zimbabwe to tour Lahore in 2015, besides hosting the final of Pakistan Super League and a three-match Twenty20 series against a World XI, comprised of players from seven countries, earlier this year. The attack on the Sri Lankan team led to international teams refusing to tour Pakistan and the ICC also relocated all matches of the 2011 World Cup, which were to be held in Pakistan, because no one was willing to play in the country. Sri Lanka has played two Tests, five One-day Internationals and the first two Twenty20 matches of the series in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan's neutral venue since 2009. But Sri Lanka agreed to travel to Pakistan for the third and final T20 match. An hour before the Sri Lankans arrived from Abu Dhabi, the Pakistan team had also reached the city from Dubai. Besides the team and officials, Sri Lanka's sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala are also on the tour. They were all greeted by fully armed elite commandos, Inspector-General of Punjab police, the Lahore Mayor, top ranking Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and other government dignitaries on the runaway and within no time were whisked away in bulletproof vehicles to their hotel from the terminal. All the roads from the airport to the hotel were sealed off and one hour before the Sri Lankan team was due to land, the security forces had cordoned off all entrances and exit points at the airport. Mobile phone services were also temporarily suspended in the area, where the hotel is located.

After 8 years, Sri Lankan cricket team arrive in Lahore amid tight security

<p>China today asked the international community to recognise the efforts made by Pakistan in counter terrorism, amid mounting pressure on its all-weather ally to take action against terror groups and dismantle their safe havens.</p>

<p>Reacting to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson&#39;s remarks in New Delhi that terror safe havens in Pakistan will not be tolerated, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said for many years Islamabad has made positive efforts and &quot;great sacrifices&quot; on counter-terrorism front.</p>

<p>&quot;Pakistan has made important contributions to world peace and maintaining regional stability. We believe that the international community should recognise the efforts made by Pakistan in counter-terrorism,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Geng, however, said the Chinese side supports the international community in the fight against terrorism.</p>

<p>Referring to Tillerson&#39;s visit to Islamabad, Geng said, &quot;We welcome Pakistan and the US to conduct counter-terrorism cooperation based on mutual respect and jointly committed regional and world peace and stability.&quot;</p>

<p>Tillerson and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a joint statement after their comprehensive talks on a range of key issues yesterday asked Pakistan to take action against terror groups, which the US said are now threatening the stability of the Pakistani government as well.</p>

<p>&quot;Terror safe havens will not be tolerated,&quot; Tillerson has said while assuring full support to India in fighting terrorism.</p>

<p>Speaking of Indo-US ties, Geng said, &quot;We welcome India and Pakistan and all other countries in the world to develop friendly cooperation. We believe this relationship is conducive the regional stability besides regional development and prosperity.</p>


Reacting to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's remarks in New Delhi that terror safe havens in Pakistan will not be tolerated, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said for many years Islamabad has made positive efforts and "great sacrifices" on counter-terrorism front.

China today asked the international community to recognise the efforts made by Pakistan in counter terrorism, amid mounting pressure on its all-weather ally to take action against terror groups and dismantle their safe havens. Reacting to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's remarks in New Delhi that terror safe havens in Pakistan will not be tolerated, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said for many years Islamabad has made positive efforts and "great sacrifices" on counter-terrorism front. "Pakistan has made important contributions to world peace and maintaining regional stability. We believe that the international community should recognise the efforts made by Pakistan in counter-terrorism," he said. Geng, however, said the Chinese side supports the international community in the fight against terrorism. Referring to Tillerson's visit to Islamabad, Geng said, "We welcome Pakistan and the US to conduct counter-terrorism cooperation based on mutual respect and jointly committed regional and world peace and stability." Tillerson and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a joint statement after their comprehensive talks on a range of key issues yesterday asked Pakistan to take action against terror groups, which the US said are now threatening the stability of the Pakistani government as well. "Terror safe havens will not be tolerated," Tillerson has said while assuring full support to India in fighting terrorism. Speaking of Indo-US ties, Geng said, "We welcome India and Pakistan and all other countries in the world to develop friendly cooperation. We believe this relationship is conducive the regional stability besides regional development and prosperity.

Global community should recognise Pak's efforts in fighting terrorism: China

<p>Pakistan is more dangerous than North Korea as it does not have a centralised control on its nuclear weapons, making them vulnerable to theft and sale, a former top American Senator warned, describing both the nations as rogue states.</p>

<p>Larry Pressler, who served as chairman of the US Senate&#39;s Arms Control Subcommittee, feared that Pakistan&#39;s nuclear weapons might be used against the US, warning of the possibility of someone buying these nuclear weapons from generals or colonels.</p>

<p>As chairman of Senate Arms Control Subcommittee, Pressler advocated the now-famous Pressler Amendment, enforced in 1990.</p>

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<h5>When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said &#39;Yes&#39;</h5>
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<p>Aid and military sales to Pakistan were blocked, including a consignment of F-16 fighter aircraft, changing forever the tenor of the US relationships with Pakistan and India. &quot;Their weapons could be transported to the US fairly simply. Just as 9/11 was a very simple operation run by 20 or 30 people,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The Pakistani nuclear bombs are not controlled. They are subject to sale or stealing and they could be easily gotten out of Pakistan to just about anywhere in the world,&quot; he said speaking at an event organised by The Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank.</p>

<p>&quot;I consider Pakistan more dangerous than North Korea in the sense that Pakistan doesn&#39;t have a centralised control of their nuclear weapons,&quot; Pressler said while discussing his latest book &#39;Neighbours in Arms: An American Senator&#39;s Quest for Disarmament in a Nuclear Subcontinent&#39;.</p>

<p>The former top American Senator, however, said he does not think that Pakistan&#39;s nuclear weapons are going to be used against India.</p>

<p>&quot;I think what North Korea needs is just a lot of attention and hand-holding. Pakistan is a different thing because you don&#39;t really have one person in charge. I think Pakistan is more dangerous to the US,&quot; he reiterated in response to a question.</p>

<p>With Secretary of State Rex Tillerson having just concluded his India trip wherein he sought to elevate India-US relationship, Pressler said the US should declare Pakistan a terrorist state.</p>

<p>&quot;We should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. We should put certain sanctions on Pakistan,&quot;&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>Pressler said in his book he has made recommendations for some reforms to treat India at a higher level.</p>

<p>When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler, if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said &quot;Yes&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;From a nuclear dangerous point of view, I think they are both the rogue states in my opinion. They both do not have the interests of the US in mind. Pakistan has and is harbouring terrorists. And North Korea is a threat to the US,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>He said President Donald Trump may be one of the best presidents of US&nbsp;for India in terms of Indo-US relationship.</p>

<p>Trump, Tillerson and the secretary of defense are advocating closer relationships with India, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;They are coming close to declaring Pakistan a terrorist state or at least in effect. And they are very interested in moving toward more free trade with India of course,&quot; the former Senator from South Dakota said.</p>

<p>Moderating the session, former Pakistan&#39;s ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani said American officials have acknowledged that Pakistan has a stable command and control system over its nuclear programme.<br />
Haqqani, however, said, &quot;Pakistanis are living in a narrative that is purely Pakistani.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;One should pay attention to what Pressler said that while he started out by being critical of the nuclear programme of everybody it was Pakistan&#39;s repeated inability to keep the promises that made him particularly critical,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m a Pakistani too and I would say that there is some merit to that argument where the Pakistanis want to recognise it or not. We have a tendency to over promise and then later on give excuses for why we couldn&#39;t keep our promise that&#39;s not just in relation to the nuclear issue, we have seen that over Afghanistan in the last two decades, he said.&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan is more dangerous than North Korea becuase it does not have centralised control over its nuclear weapons, making them vulnerable to theft and sale, said Larry Pressler

Pakistan is more dangerous than North Korea as it does not have a centralised control on its nuclear weapons, making them vulnerable to theft and sale, a former top American Senator warned, describing both the nations as rogue states. Larry Pressler, who served as chairman of the US Senate's Arms Control Subcommittee, feared that Pakistan's nuclear weapons might be used against the US, warning of the possibility of someone buying these nuclear weapons from generals or colonels. As chairman of Senate Arms Control Subcommittee, Pressler advocated the now-famous Pressler Amendment, enforced in 1990. When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said 'Yes' × Aid and military sales to Pakistan were blocked, including a consignment of F-16 fighter aircraft, changing forever the tenor of the US relationships with Pakistan and India. "Their weapons could be transported to the US fairly simply. Just as 9/11 was a very simple operation run by 20 or 30 people," he said. "The Pakistani nuclear bombs are not controlled. They are subject to sale or stealing and they could be easily gotten out of Pakistan to just about anywhere in the world," he said speaking at an event organised by The Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank. "I consider Pakistan more dangerous than North Korea in the sense that Pakistan doesn't have a centralised control of their nuclear weapons," Pressler said while discussing his latest book 'Neighbours in Arms: An American Senator's Quest for Disarmament in a Nuclear Subcontinent'. The former top American Senator, however, said he does not think that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are going to be used against India. "I think what North Korea needs is just a lot of attention and hand-holding. Pakistan is a different thing because you don't really have one person in charge. I think Pakistan is more dangerous to the US," he reiterated in response to a question. With Secretary of State Rex Tillerson having just concluded his India trip wherein he sought to elevate India-US relationship, Pressler said the US should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. "We should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. We should put certain sanctions on Pakistan," he said. Pressler said in his book he has made recommendations for some reforms to treat India at a higher level. When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler, if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said "Yes". "From a nuclear dangerous point of view, I think they are both the rogue states in my opinion. They both do not have the interests of the US in mind. Pakistan has and is harbouring terrorists. And North Korea is a threat to the US," he said. He said President Donald Trump may be one of the best presidents of US for India in terms of Indo-US relationship. Trump, Tillerson and the secretary of defense are advocating closer relationships with India, he said. "They are coming close to declaring Pakistan a terrorist state or at least in effect. And they are very interested in moving toward more free trade with India of course," the former Senator from South Dakota said. Moderating the session, former Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani said American officials have acknowledged that Pakistan has a stable command and control system over its nuclear programme. Haqqani, however, said, "Pakistanis are living in a narrative that is purely Pakistani." "One should pay attention to what Pressler said that while he started out by being critical of the nuclear programme of everybody it was Pakistan's repeated inability to keep the promises that made him particularly critical," he said. "I'm a Pakistani too and I would say that there is some merit to that argument where the Pakistanis want to recognise it or not. We have a tendency to over promise and then later on give excuses for why we couldn't keep our promise that's not just in relation to the nuclear issue, we have seen that over Afghanistan in the last two decades, he said.

Pak more dangerous than North Korea: Ex-US Senator

<p>Hungarian police have detained a Pakistani migrant wanted for murdering around 70 people in his home country, Hungarian and Austrian police said on Wednesday.</p>

<p data-reactid="33">In a statement, police in Hungary&rsquo;s Bacs-Kiskun county said they had stopped a group of illegal migrants near the southern border with Serbia on Tuesday and identified the 35-year-old man among them.</p>

<p data-reactid="34">The police identified him only by the initials A.Z. and said he was the target of an international arrest warrant issued by Pakistan.</p>

<p data-reactid="34">They said he was being held in Hungary but gave no further details.</p>

<p data-reactid="35">Austrian police issued a statement saying the arrest had been made after a tip-off from Austria to Hungarian authorities.</p>

<p data-reactid="35">They said the man had been planning to go to Austria with the help of people-smugglers.</p>

<p data-reactid="35">They declined to identify him on grounds of Austria&rsquo;s data protection rules.</p>


Hungarian police have detained a Pakistani migrant wanted for murdering around 70 people in his home country, Hungarian and Austrian police said on Wednesday.

Hungarian police have detained a Pakistani migrant wanted for murdering around 70 people in his home country, Hungarian and Austrian police said on Wednesday. In a statement, police in Hungary’s Bacs-Kiskun county said they had stopped a group of illegal migrants near the southern border with Serbia on Tuesday and identified the 35-year-old man among them. The police identified him only by the initials A.Z. and said he was the target of an international arrest warrant issued by Pakistan. They said he was being held in Hungary but gave no further details. Austrian police issued a statement saying the arrest had been made after a tip-off from Austria to Hungarian authorities. They said the man had been planning to go to Austria with the help of people-smugglers. They declined to identify him on grounds of Austria’s data protection rules.

Hungary detains migrant wanted for 70 murders in Pakistan: Police

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WION Evening News Brief, Nov 1 2017