Indian national Uzma, who had accused her Pakistani husband of marrying her at gunpoint, has finally returned to India, a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted her the permission to.

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj met her in the Indian capital soon after her return.

The IHC had also ordered police to provide her security till the Wagah Border.

An IHC bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, returned Uzma her original immigration form, which her husband Tahir had submitted to the court on Tuesday, reported Geo News.

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Uzma - Welcome home India&#39;s daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through.
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/867611568124645376">May 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tahir also expressed his desire to meet Uzma in private, which the latter refused.

Justice Kayani remarked that if Uzma does not want to meet Tahir, then she won&#39;t be forced.&nbsp;

Wasim Ahmad, brother of Uzma, said the Indian government had done more than expected for Uzma, who got permission from the Islamabad High Court to return to India.

He also said that the Indian Embassy treated Uzma with full care. She took shelter in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on May 5, 2017.

He added that he had no words to thank the government, Swaraj, and Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Indian woman Uzma returns to India via Attari-Wagah border, she alleged she was forced to marry a Pakistani <a href="https://t.co/x5FeEos6lS">pic.twitter.com/x5FeEos6lS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/867618328872837120">May 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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On May 19, Uzma had submitted a six-page reply to the High Court and reiterated her earlier claims and said that she was forced to sign the Nikkahnama [marriage papers].

The reply also claimed that Tahir`s affidavit was based on lies. The reply also requested that Uzma was allowed to travel to India as her visa would expire on May 30.

Earlier, while recording her statement before the Court of a Judicial Magistrate Uzma (20) also alleged that she was sedated, assaulted, tortured mentally and physically by the man in Pakistan who had invited her to visit his family in Pakistan.

Uzma, who hails from New Delhi, also stated the she had taken shelter in High Commission of India of her own accord and would stay there till she is sent back to India with security.

The case came to the forefront after her husband claimed that Indian High Commission has stopped her wife from leaving the premises during their visit to apply for visa on May 7.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Indian national Uzma, who had accused her Pakistani husband of marrying her at gunpoint, has finally returned to India, a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted her the permission to. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj met her in the Indian capital soon after her return. The IHC had also ordered police to provide her security till the Wagah Border. An IHC bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, returned Uzma her original immigration form, which her husband Tahir had submitted to the court on Tuesday, reported Geo News. Uzma - Welcome home India's daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2017 × Tahir also expressed his desire to meet Uzma in private, which the latter refused. Justice Kayani remarked that if Uzma does not want to meet Tahir, then she won't be forced. Wasim Ahmad, brother of Uzma, said the Indian government had done more than expected for Uzma, who got permission from the Islamabad High Court to return to India. He also said that the Indian Embassy treated Uzma with full care. She took shelter in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on May 5, 2017. He added that he had no words to thank the government, Swaraj, and Indian High Commission in Pakistan. #WATCH Indian woman Uzma returns to India via Attari-Wagah border, she alleged she was forced to marry a Pakistani pic.twitter.com/x5FeEos6lS — ANI (@ANI_news) May 25, 2017 × On May 19, Uzma had submitted a six-page reply to the High Court and reiterated her earlier claims and said that she was forced to sign the Nikkahnama [marriage papers]. The reply also claimed that Tahir`s affidavit was based on lies. The reply also requested that Uzma was allowed to travel to India as her visa would expire on May 30. Earlier, while recording her statement before the Court of a Judicial Magistrate Uzma (20) also alleged that she was sedated, assaulted, tortured mentally and physically by the man in Pakistan who had invited her to visit his family in Pakistan. Uzma, who hails from New Delhi, also stated the she had taken shelter in High Commission of India of her own accord and would stay there till she is sent back to India with security. The case came to the forefront after her husband claimed that Indian High Commission has stopped her wife from leaving the premises during their visit to apply for visa on May 7. (ANI)

Uzma, who said she was forced to marry Pakistani man at gunpoint, returns to India

Agnisheik Chatterji

United States President Donald Trump&#39;s annual budget proposal to convert grants given to Pakistan into loans will have significant ramifications -- both in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The White House on Tuesday (May 23) said the &quot;Foreign Military Funding for Pakistan may be provided in the form of a loan&quot;, though the Trump administration has let the State Department take a call on it.

If the proposal is implemented, it will be a sharp departure from Washington&#39;s decades-long policy vis-a-vis its aid to Pakistan.

Crucially, the plan coincides with Washington&#39;s deliberation on whether to renew its military presence on Afghan soil.

The impending decision may boomerang on the United States on three fronts, all involving a possible pivot in Pakistan&#39;s foreign policy: Islamabad may shun the US and look to China for its source of aid, escalate its covert militant operations in Afghanistan and scythe its decades-long civilian and military cooperation with Washington.

Although US-Pakistan ties have ebbed and flowed ever since the latter&#39;s creation in 1947, the potential quagmire is likely to undermine the US&#39; geopolitical advantage and be viewed by many as a very expensive failure.

At one point, Pakistan was the third-largest recipient of US assistance -- Washington gave Islamabad nearly $19 billion in aid between 2002 and 2010 and nearly $75 billion since 1951.

And although their partnership has largely served its utilitarian purpose -- during the US&#39; proxy war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and its war on terror in the South Asian region in the noughties -- their worsening relations will only indicate that Pakistan has been a black hole for US funds.

A history of mistrust and friendship

Their partnership has been viewed by many as a marriage of convenience.

US&#39; economic assistance to Pakistan peaked in the Cold War-dominated 1960s, while its military aid spiked during the 1980s (Soviet Union) and 2000s (Taliban).

But there have been periods of lull as well. 
&nbsp; 
Washington scrapped its aid during the India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971, and when Islamabad forged ahead with its uranium enrichment programme.

The 9/11 attack in 2001 significantly altered Washington&#39;s South Asia praxis when they decided to give large tranches of aid to Islamabad in their fight to remove the last vestige of Taliban from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Since 2010, the assistance monies have sharply declined and the current administration&#39;s decision to convert future military funding into loans will irk the Pakistani establishment.

Washington&#39;s re-evaluation of its aid programme came in 2008 when the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, or the Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill, increased accountability of the Pakistan army and lay down strict caveats.

Till then, between 2001 and 2010, there were scant conditions imposed by the US. 
&nbsp; 
Pakistan was now required to certify that they didn&#39;t stockpile its weaponry to augment its military against India. They also had to promise that they had stopped supporting extremist forces and had dismantled terror launchpads.

Washington&#39;s doctrinal shift came amid concerns over Islamabad&#39;s misuse of aid. Reports had emanated about how Pakistan used half the funds to purchase F-16s and anti-missile defence systems.&nbsp;

But Trump&#39;s proposal is a major political gamble for the US.

A glance at their past does suggest that the potential impasse is not unprecedented.

However, China&#39;s rising influence in Pakistan is too close for comfort for the White House. And conversion of grants into loans might unhinge the decades-long bilateral ties.

China has already made its foray in the region, with Beijing signing a massive $54 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, aimed to upgrade and boost the south Asian nation&#39;s infrastructure and economy.

The Afghanistan conundrum&nbsp;

A potential frostiness would also put the US on the back foot in the region.

Pakistan&#39;s importance to the US was underpinned by Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who said that it was &iuml;mperative&quot; for the ties to remain harmonious as it would enhance &quot;the safety of American troops&quot; and success of their Afghanistan mission&quot;.

If Pakistan were to row back on its association with the White House, it would endanger the already-perilous security status in Afghanistan.

This period is even more crucial for the Trump administration as it coincides with them mulling redeployment of 3,000 to 5,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

Currently, there are US troops, but only in an advisory capacity.

But the situation is turning bleak, with Taliban&#39;s annual Spring Offensive blowing considerable holes in the indigenous Afghan security forces.

The Taliban has gradually regained lost ground in Afghanistan ever since NATO troops departed the country&#39;s shores. They currently hold sway over 40 per cent of the war-torn country.

Moreover, the Afghan security forces have been beset by spike in casualty toll, desertion and fragging. A US watchdog said there was a 35 per cent increase in Afghan soldiers and police killed during last year&#39;s Spring Offensive.

Alienating Pakistan at this juncture is likely to backfire on the US as Islamabad has supported the Afghan Taliban over the last few years as a tool to meddle in the internal affairs of their neighbours.

Though Pakistan has denied supporting terror networks, various US-based white papers and senior administrative officials have blamed Islamabad and their intel agency Inter-Services Intelligence of playing a double game.

Washington has pressured Pakistan in the past to crack down on Taliban but their efforts have borne little results.

Several analysts believe Islamabad provides Afghan Taliban safe havens in their country to launch attacks across the Durand Line -- the controversial border that politically separates Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Further, a spurned Pakistan could activate the sleeping cells of the Haqqani network in Pakistan, which could spell further trouble for Afghanistan and the US.

If the US administration is to pull the plug on its aid and convert them into loans, they would lose a crucial ally in Pakistan and further lose ground in Afghanistan.

Calls for stripping aid to Pakistan have grown louder in recent years, but the timing of it would likely erode US&#39; policy in the region. For now, it&#39;s all about the timing.

(WION)

United States President Donald Trump's annual budget has thought of converting grants given to Pakistan to purchase military hardware into loans

Agnisheik Chatterji United States President Donald Trump's annual budget proposal to convert grants given to Pakistan into loans will have significant ramifications -- both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The White House on Tuesday (May 23) said the "Foreign Military Funding for Pakistan may be provided in the form of a loan", though the Trump administration has let the State Department take a call on it. If the proposal is implemented, it will be a sharp departure from Washington's decades-long policy vis-a-vis its aid to Pakistan. Crucially, the plan coincides with Washington's deliberation on whether to renew its military presence on Afghan soil. The impending decision may boomerang on the United States on three fronts, all involving a possible pivot in Pakistan's foreign policy: Islamabad may shun the US and look to China for its source of aid, escalate its covert militant operations in Afghanistan and scythe its decades-long civilian and military cooperation with Washington. Although US-Pakistan ties have ebbed and flowed ever since the latter's creation in 1947, the potential quagmire is likely to undermine the US' geopolitical advantage and be viewed by many as a very expensive failure. At one point, Pakistan was the third-largest recipient of US assistance -- Washington gave Islamabad nearly $19 billion in aid between 2002 and 2010 and nearly $75 billion since 1951. And although their partnership has largely served its utilitarian purpose -- during the US' proxy war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and its war on terror in the South Asian region in the noughties -- their worsening relations will only indicate that Pakistan has been a black hole for US funds. A history of mistrust and friendship Their partnership has been viewed by many as a marriage of convenience. US' economic assistance to Pakistan peaked in the Cold War-dominated 1960s, while its military aid spiked during the 1980s (Soviet Union) and 2000s (Taliban). But there have been periods of lull as well. Washington scrapped its aid during the India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971, and when Islamabad forged ahead with its uranium enrichment programme. The 9/11 attack in 2001 significantly altered Washington's South Asia praxis when they decided to give large tranches of aid to Islamabad in their fight to remove the last vestige of Taliban from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 2010, the assistance monies have sharply declined and the current administration's decision to convert future military funding into loans will irk the Pakistani establishment. Washington's re-evaluation of its aid programme came in 2008 when the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, or the Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill, increased accountability of the Pakistan army and lay down strict caveats. Till then, between 2001 and 2010, there were scant conditions imposed by the US. Pakistan was now required to certify that they didn't stockpile its weaponry to augment its military against India. They also had to promise that they had stopped supporting extremist forces and had dismantled terror launchpads. Washington's doctrinal shift came amid concerns over Islamabad's misuse of aid. Reports had emanated about how Pakistan used half the funds to purchase F-16s and anti-missile defence systems. But Trump's proposal is a major political gamble for the US. A glance at their past does suggest that the potential impasse is not unprecedented. However, China's rising influence in Pakistan is too close for comfort for the White House. And conversion of grants into loans might unhinge the decades-long bilateral ties. China has already made its foray in the region, with Beijing signing a massive $54 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, aimed to upgrade and boost the south Asian nation's infrastructure and economy. The Afghanistan conundrum A potential frostiness would also put the US on the back foot in the region. Pakistan's importance to the US was underpinned by Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who said that it was ïmperative" for the ties to remain harmonious as it would enhance "the safety of American troops" and success of their Afghanistan mission". If Pakistan were to row back on its association with the White House, it would endanger the already-perilous security status in Afghanistan. This period is even more crucial for the Trump administration as it coincides with them mulling redeployment of 3,000 to 5,000 US troops in Afghanistan. Currently, there are US troops, but only in an advisory capacity. But the situation is turning bleak, with Taliban's annual Spring Offensive blowing considerable holes in the indigenous Afghan security forces. The Taliban has gradually regained lost ground in Afghanistan ever since NATO troops departed the country's shores. They currently hold sway over 40 per cent of the war-torn country. Moreover, the Afghan security forces have been beset by spike in casualty toll, desertion and fragging. A US watchdog said there was a 35 per cent increase in Afghan soldiers and police killed during last year's Spring Offensive. Alienating Pakistan at this juncture is likely to backfire on the US as Islamabad has supported the Afghan Taliban over the last few years as a tool to meddle in the internal affairs of their neighbours. Though Pakistan has denied supporting terror networks, various US-based white papers and senior administrative officials have blamed Islamabad and their intel agency Inter-Services Intelligence of playing a double game. Washington has pressured Pakistan in the past to crack down on Taliban but their efforts have borne little results. Several analysts believe Islamabad provides Afghan Taliban safe havens in their country to launch attacks across the Durand Line -- the controversial border that politically separates Pakistan and Afghanistan. Further, a spurned Pakistan could activate the sleeping cells of the Haqqani network in Pakistan, which could spell further trouble for Afghanistan and the US. If the US administration is to pull the plug on its aid and convert them into loans, they would lose a crucial ally in Pakistan and further lose ground in Afghanistan. Calls for stripping aid to Pakistan have grown louder in recent years, but the timing of it would likely erode US' policy in the region. For now, it's all about the timing. (WION)

US' Pakistan aid-to-loan proposal is fraught with danger

Pakistan has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold an early hearing in the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court, a media report said today.

The Express Tribune, citing sources, reported that the Pakistan Foreign Office has sent a letter to the Hague-based ICJ&#39;s registrar, expressing Pakistan&#39;s desire for a quick hearing, preferably over the next few weeks.

The request was made in view of the upcoming elections for ICJ judges, scheduled to be held in November, it quoted the sources as saying.

A senior official, however, was quoted as saying that the ICJ might resume the hearing in the case in October.

&quot;The government (however) wants the hearing (to be held in the) next six weeks,&quot; he said.

Pakistan&#39;s attorney-general Ashtar Ausaf Ali is expected to attend the ICJ proceedings.

The federal government, however, has not taken any decision about replacing Pakistan&#39;s attorney Khawar Quraishi.

&quot;His performance is satisfactory...He raised all (relevant) legal points during the hearing,&quot; a senior official of the law ministry was quoted as saying.

The report, citing sources, also said the government was considering a few names for nominating them for the post of ad-hoc ICJ judge.

The name of a senior lawyer was also under consideration, it said.

The report comes just days after ICJ stayed Jadhav&#39;s execution and also endorsed the Indian request for consular access to him.

India on May 8 had moved the ICJ against the death penalty handed down to Jadhav by a Pakistani military court.

Legal experts were beginning to wonder why Pakistan wants to appoint a foreigner as an ad-hoc judge when every state prefers to nominate its own lawyers, the report said.

They are calling on the attorney-general&#39;s office to consult local lawyers before finalising a legal strategy in this regard, it said.

A senior lawyer, with vast experience of international arbitration, was quoted as saying that it was necessary to revamp the legal wing of the Foreign Office because it failed to give proper advice to deal with Jadhav&#39;s case.

Pakistan Bar Council&#39;s (PBC) executive member Raheel Kamran Sheikh expressed concern over Pakistan&#39;s dismal success rate in international arbitration at just two per cent.

He pointed out that &quot;India&#39;s success rate was 60 per cent&quot;.

&quot;We have lost important cases at international forums over the past couple of years, while spending more than a billion rupees in lawyers&#39; fees,&quot; he said.

According to Sheikh, the mishandling of Jadhav&#39;s case was a classic example of how the power struggle between military and political institutions played out and gaps in foreign policy and national security perspectives grew.

&quot;State may suffer irreparable damage if gaps are not immediately bridged...In the national interest by both centres of power,&quot; Sheikh said.

A senior official in the attorney-general&#39;s office was quoted as saying that although India got the stay on Jadhav&#39;s execution, ultimately Pakistan would win the case.

&quot;We are in no hurry to execute him (Jadhav) as he is making more disclosures,&quot; he claimed.

Jadhav&#39;s case is the latest flash-point in the tensions between Pakistan and India. The two countries last faced off at the ICJ 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft.

(PTI)

 
&nbsp;

The request was reportedly made in view of the upcoming elections for ICJ judges which are scheduled to be held in November

Pakistan has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold an early hearing in the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court, a media report said today. The Express Tribune, citing sources, reported that the Pakistan Foreign Office has sent a letter to the Hague-based ICJ's registrar, expressing Pakistan's desire for a quick hearing, preferably over the next few weeks. The request was made in view of the upcoming elections for ICJ judges, scheduled to be held in November, it quoted the sources as saying. A senior official, however, was quoted as saying that the ICJ might resume the hearing in the case in October. "The government (however) wants the hearing (to be held in the) next six weeks," he said. Pakistan's attorney-general Ashtar Ausaf Ali is expected to attend the ICJ proceedings. The federal government, however, has not taken any decision about replacing Pakistan's attorney Khawar Quraishi. "His performance is satisfactory...He raised all (relevant) legal points during the hearing," a senior official of the law ministry was quoted as saying. The report, citing sources, also said the government was considering a few names for nominating them for the post of ad-hoc ICJ judge. The name of a senior lawyer was also under consideration, it said. The report comes just days after ICJ stayed Jadhav's execution and also endorsed the Indian request for consular access to him. India on May 8 had moved the ICJ against the death penalty handed down to Jadhav by a Pakistani military court. Legal experts were beginning to wonder why Pakistan wants to appoint a foreigner as an ad-hoc judge when every state prefers to nominate its own lawyers, the report said. They are calling on the attorney-general's office to consult local lawyers before finalising a legal strategy in this regard, it said. A senior lawyer, with vast experience of international arbitration, was quoted as saying that it was necessary to revamp the legal wing of the Foreign Office because it failed to give proper advice to deal with Jadhav's case. Pakistan Bar Council's (PBC) executive member Raheel Kamran Sheikh expressed concern over Pakistan's dismal success rate in international arbitration at just two per cent. He pointed out that "India's success rate was 60 per cent". "We have lost important cases at international forums over the past couple of years, while spending more than a billion rupees in lawyers' fees," he said. According to Sheikh, the mishandling of Jadhav's case was a classic example of how the power struggle between military and political institutions played out and gaps in foreign policy and national security perspectives grew. "State may suffer irreparable damage if gaps are not immediately bridged...In the national interest by both centres of power," Sheikh said. A senior official in the attorney-general's office was quoted as saying that although India got the stay on Jadhav's execution, ultimately Pakistan would win the case. "We are in no hurry to execute him (Jadhav) as he is making more disclosures," he claimed. Jadhav's case is the latest flash-point in the tensions between Pakistan and India. The two countries last faced off at the ICJ 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft. (PTI)

Pakistan asks ICJ for early hearing in Jadhav case: Report

By Agnisheik Chatterji

Nineteen years. That&#39;s how long after Pakistan launched its national census this year.&nbsp;

The two-phase counting, which started on March 15, will culminate on May 25. The result is expected to be announced by end-July.

But what made Islamabad delay a fresh headcount by nine years?

The problems are manifold.&nbsp;Lack of political will, ethnic insecurity, security concerns, redistribution of wealth and political clout, are but some of the main reasons for the years-long delay.

Finally, the Pakistan government had to follow the orders of the country&#39;s supreme court. After all, the government is constitutionally bound to conduct a census every decade.

Largest-ever national headcount

Let&#39;s get down to the brass tacks of the nationwide enumeration first.

The government has spent 14.5 billion Pakistan rupees.

Around 200,000 army personnel were deployed and 118,000 civilian enumerators hired to compile the data.

Why even have a census?

It is vital for socio-economic planning.&nbsp;

And if the United Nations&#39; word is to believed, census is a &quot;powerful tool for planning&quot; not only for religious minorities &quot;but all the population of Pakistan&quot;.

For instance, if the government needs to put a schooling system in place, the census data can make their job a lot easier. Prior to building a school, the planning team will know the number of children that will benefit from this, and also the most conducive location.

Likewise with constructing roads, hospitals and other key institutions that can bolster social indices of a country.

The data will also help Islamabad in tracking internal migration.

For a fast-growing country like Pakistan, this is vital. The country is in the throes of rapid urbanisation. Three per cent every year -- the fastest in South Asia.&nbsp;

The data will help the country know the resources required to keep pace with the burgeoning population in urban centres.&nbsp;

Also, the matter of Afghan migrants. This census will count them as well. It will help the administration to keep a track on the influx of refugees in their country.

To surmise, the census is a key source tool for every country.&nbsp;

Experts say it is improbable for a country to implement social policies based on guesstimates. Especially for a developing country like Pakistan, which is hobbled by a lack of basic infrastructure.

The 1998 census pegged Pakistan&#39;s head count at 132.35 million. But experts suggest the number might now be around 200 million.

To nick a quote from the head of an Islamabad-based think tank, Abid Suleri, implementing policies in Pakistan is akin to &quot;stitching someone&rsquo;s clothes without knowing the age, height, weight and measurements&quot;.

Loss of status quo

So why has the establishment been so queasy about holding a census?

As mentioned earlier, there will be a redistribution of wealth and electoral seats.

There is a vested interest in maintaining a status quo. The powers-that-are are the keenest to keep things as they are.

Electoral seats in Pakistan are determined by population density. So, the flow of internal migration in recent years would upend the existing balance of power.&nbsp;

That has made powerful feudal landlords and political families squeamish.

At the moment, Punjab is the most politically critical province in Pakistan. Of the 342 seats in the national assembly, Punjab has 183.&nbsp; 
That means the province can single-handedly decide the outcome of a national election.

The powerful political parties enjoy widespread support in the province.&nbsp;

So, if there is a &#39;devolution&#39; of electoral seats in Punjab, parties would have to redraw their political blueprint.

Political power is likely to change hands in the country&#39;s southeast Sindh province.&nbsp;

Currently, upper Sindh is the political underdog but the recent counting is likely to change that. Lower and middle part of the province -- the hitherto political heavyweights -- would lose their current status.

Also, one of the observations gleaned from the 2013 national election is that sharp ethnic faultlines have riven the country&#39;s rural areas.&nbsp;

But rapid urbanisation, coupled with the eventual loss of electoral seats in rural areas in the aftermath of the national head count, would bring an end to such vicious votebank politics.

Regional concerns

Several concerns have been raised from various parts of the country.&nbsp;

None more so than in Pakistan&#39;s poorest province Balochistan.

Balochistan is a sparsely populated region. To give perspective, the province comprises 44 per cent area of the country, yet contributes just 4.96 per cent of the total population.&nbsp;

The federal government&#39;s decision to count Afghan refugees have been stoutly opposed by the Baloch populace.

They fear they would be relegated to minority status in their own heartland as there has been a steady influx of Afghan refugees in their province.&nbsp;

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also raised the government&#39;s intention to count the data in Islamabad.&nbsp;

While lack of equipment has been cited as the official reason, Pashtun leaders fear data would be fudged (read undercounting) to perpetuate the region in socio-economic doldrums.

They believe that undercounting would result in the region continuing to get less funds from the federal government.

The country&#39;s 500,000-odd Ahmadis -- who are viewed by the Sunni-dominant people of Pakistan as heretics -- are also worried about the census, though they have only spoken about it in hushed tones, given the levels of persecution they have been subjected to in the last seven decades.

They are concerned that identifying themselves as Ahmadis would expose them to discrimination.

Also, Ahmadi names are not different from a Muslim name. There is a danger that the enumerator might tick an uneducated Ahmadi as a Muslim on their behalf. If caught, the person might be jailed for three years for falsely identifying himself as a Muslim.

There was also a brief flutter over the lack of recognition of all religious minorities.

The initial census form had drawn up different categories for people to state their religion -- Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi and &#39;others&#39;.

But there was a conspicuous omission -- the Sikhs were left out.

Ironically, the Sikh religion was founded about 500 years back in what is now Pakistan.

But that was later sorted out when the courts intervened.&nbsp;

And the shining beacon of this census is that transgenders will be counted for the first time. However, there was a fork in the soup.&nbsp;

People in Peshawar were given forms without that choice. But that glitch was later wrinkled out.

(WION)

The headcount gets over on May 25, but the multi-million dollar programme has been 19 years in the making

By Agnisheik Chatterji Nineteen years. That's how long after Pakistan launched its national census this year. The two-phase counting, which started on March 15, will culminate on May 25. The result is expected to be announced by end-July. But what made Islamabad delay a fresh headcount by nine years? The problems are manifold. Lack of political will, ethnic insecurity, security concerns, redistribution of wealth and political clout, are but some of the main reasons for the years-long delay. Finally, the Pakistan government had to follow the orders of the country's supreme court. After all, the government is constitutionally bound to conduct a census every decade. Largest-ever national headcount Let's get down to the brass tacks of the nationwide enumeration first. The government has spent 14.5 billion Pakistan rupees. Around 200,000 army personnel were deployed and 118,000 civilian enumerators hired to compile the data. Why even have a census? It is vital for socio-economic planning. And if the United Nations' word is to believed, census is a "powerful tool for planning" not only for religious minorities "but all the population of Pakistan". For instance, if the government needs to put a schooling system in place, the census data can make their job a lot easier. Prior to building a school, the planning team will know the number of children that will benefit from this, and also the most conducive location. Likewise with constructing roads, hospitals and other key institutions that can bolster social indices of a country. The data will also help Islamabad in tracking internal migration. For a fast-growing country like Pakistan, this is vital. The country is in the throes of rapid urbanisation. Three per cent every year -- the fastest in South Asia. The data will help the country know the resources required to keep pace with the burgeoning population in urban centres. Also, the matter of Afghan migrants. This census will count them as well. It will help the administration to keep a track on the influx of refugees in their country. To surmise, the census is a key source tool for every country. Experts say it is improbable for a country to implement social policies based on guesstimates. Especially for a developing country like Pakistan, which is hobbled by a lack of basic infrastructure. The 1998 census pegged Pakistan's head count at 132.35 million. But experts suggest the number might now be around 200 million. To nick a quote from the head of an Islamabad-based think tank, Abid Suleri, implementing policies in Pakistan is akin to "stitching someone’s clothes without knowing the age, height, weight and measurements". Loss of status quo So why has the establishment been so queasy about holding a census? As mentioned earlier, there will be a redistribution of wealth and electoral seats. There is a vested interest in maintaining a status quo. The powers-that-are are the keenest to keep things as they are. Electoral seats in Pakistan are determined by population density. So, the flow of internal migration in recent years would upend the existing balance of power. That has made powerful feudal landlords and political families squeamish. At the moment, Punjab is the most politically critical province in Pakistan. Of the 342 seats in the national assembly, Punjab has 183. That means the province can single-handedly decide the outcome of a national election. The powerful political parties enjoy widespread support in the province. So, if there is a 'devolution' of electoral seats in Punjab, parties would have to redraw their political blueprint. Political power is likely to change hands in the country's southeast Sindh province. Currently, upper Sindh is the political underdog but the recent counting is likely to change that. Lower and middle part of the province -- the hitherto political heavyweights -- would lose their current status. Also, one of the observations gleaned from the 2013 national election is that sharp ethnic faultlines have riven the country's rural areas. But rapid urbanisation, coupled with the eventual loss of electoral seats in rural areas in the aftermath of the national head count, would bring an end to such vicious votebank politics. Regional concerns Several concerns have been raised from various parts of the country. None more so than in Pakistan's poorest province Balochistan. Balochistan is a sparsely populated region. To give perspective, the province comprises 44 per cent area of the country, yet contributes just 4.96 per cent of the total population. The federal government's decision to count Afghan refugees have been stoutly opposed by the Baloch populace. They fear they would be relegated to minority status in their own heartland as there has been a steady influx of Afghan refugees in their province. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also raised the government's intention to count the data in Islamabad. While lack of equipment has been cited as the official reason, Pashtun leaders fear data would be fudged (read undercounting) to perpetuate the region in socio-economic doldrums. They believe that undercounting would result in the region continuing to get less funds from the federal government. The country's 500,000-odd Ahmadis -- who are viewed by the Sunni-dominant people of Pakistan as heretics -- are also worried about the census, though they have only spoken about it in hushed tones, given the levels of persecution they have been subjected to in the last seven decades. They are concerned that identifying themselves as Ahmadis would expose them to discrimination. Also, Ahmadi names are not different from a Muslim name. There is a danger that the enumerator might tick an uneducated Ahmadi as a Muslim on their behalf. If caught, the person might be jailed for three years for falsely identifying himself as a Muslim. There was also a brief flutter over the lack of recognition of all religious minorities. The initial census form had drawn up different categories for people to state their religion -- Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi and 'others'. But there was a conspicuous omission -- the Sikhs were left out. Ironically, the Sikh religion was founded about 500 years back in what is now Pakistan. But that was later sorted out when the courts intervened. And the shining beacon of this census is that transgenders will be counted for the first time. However, there was a fork in the soup. People in Peshawar were given forms without that choice. But that glitch was later wrinkled out. (WION)

Enumerating Pakistan's census exercise

By Agnisheik Chatterji

On May 18, the International Court of Justice asked Pakistan not to execute a retired Indian navy officer for &quot;spying&quot; and attempting to create trouble in the conflict-riven province of Balochistan before the final verdict is out.

An eleven-judge bench of the world court unanimously questioned the Pakistani military court&#39;s verdict as India was refused consular access to the &quot;spy&quot; named Kulbushan Jadhav.

The tribunal said that prima facie, Pakistan had ignored Article 36 of the Vienna Convention -- which provides countries the right to consular access.

The stay on Jadhav&#39;s execution forced Pakistan to go back to their drawing board while their neighbours let out a huge sigh of relief and its media tom-tommed about outsmarting Islamabad in the international court.

Though India has won the first round of the bout, a moral victory of sense, it should not count its chickens yet as it has all the ingredients of being a long-drawn 15-round slugfest in the world court.

To dampen India&#39;s spirits further, it won&#39;t be surprising if Pakistan flies in the face of the ICJ and decides to ignore the ruling.

And how can they do that? There has been a litany of cases where countries have cocked a snook at the UN&#39;s primary judicial organ over the last seven decades.

A defanged court

Sprawling, well-manicured lawns roll out in front of an opulent, neo-renaissance red-brick building to give the International Court of Justice a mystique of ultimate power and authority.

But the chambers&#39; resplendence and its importance of being the world court notwithstanding, the ICJ has often withered under the onslaught of diplomatic brinkmanship and stubborn governments.

There are two key reasons the international tribunal sometimes is left powerless. 
&nbsp; 
Firstly, the ICJ can do nothing if a country has not conceded to the court&#39;s jurisdiction.

Secondly, the ICJ is the last resort in the judicial hierarchy. An aggrieved party cannot appeal its verdict. That leads to several countries dismissing ICJ rulings.

One such case was when India defied ICJ&#39;s ruling in 1999.

A Pakistani military plane was shot down in the Indian air space, but New Delhi said the ICJ had no jurisdiction to settle a dispute between two Commonwealth countries -- an argument that was accepted by the world court.

In Jadhav&#39;s case too, Pakistan can very well cite the 1999 case to ignore ICJ&#39;s ruling.

There are other precedents too.

Most recently, China aggressively ignored the tribunal&#39;s stinging verdict on its territorial claims in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

The ICJ had also claimed that China had breached Philippines&#39; sovereign rights in those waters.

But Beijing outrightly rejected the 2016 ruling and vowed to bolster its claims over the South China Sea.

&quot;China will take all necessary measures to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,&quot; the ruling Communist Party&#39;s official People&#39;s Daily had said, days after the ICJ ruled against them.

In 2014, Japan defied the court&#39;s ruling that it should stop its whaling program in the Southern Ocean.

In 1986, the United States had similarly dismissed the tribunal&#39;s verdict, which asked Washington to pay reparations to Sandinistas.

One of the examples that will worry the Indians most is a 1982 case where two German citizens were executed by the United States even after the case went to the UN tribunal.

UNSC migraine

Further, the permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, UK, France, Russia and China -- are tasked to enforce the court&#39;s verdict. But even if one of the members does not agree with the court order, the UNSC cannot enforce the injunction.

From the outside -- and though it is merely hypothetical as of now -- if China vetoes the verdict, like they have repeatedly blocked India&#39;s request in the UN to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as terrorist, the UNSC will be unable to put pressure on Pakistan to obey the final verdict.

Pakistan will keep a close eye on exploring this option as they have an increasingly growing relations with China.

Lengthy trials&nbsp;

The other problem India needs to counter is the court&#39;s notoriously ponderous ways to decide a case.

The ICJ completes only two to three cases a year.

There have also been times when it has taken almost a decade to decide a case, just like it did in the Qatar vs Bahrain territorial dispute case.

And in Jadhav&#39;s case, it is possible that the trial will drag on, given the shadowy nature of the entire episode that has further worsened an already-strained relation between India and Pakistan.

Yes, India has gained the moral ground and maybe a battle, but the proverbial war isn&#39;t over yet.

It&#39;s no doom and gloom for Pakistan either. The case is still in its nascent stage and they will hope they have sufficient evidence to prove that Jadhav was indeed an Indian agent operating to &quot;destablise&quot; Pakistan.

(WION)

The tribunal said that prima facie, Pakistan had ignored Article 36 of the Vienna Convention -- which provides countries the right to consular access

By Agnisheik Chatterji On May 18, the International Court of Justice asked Pakistan not to execute a retired Indian navy officer for "spying" and attempting to create trouble in the conflict-riven province of Balochistan before the final verdict is out. An eleven-judge bench of the world court unanimously questioned the Pakistani military court's verdict as India was refused consular access to the "spy" named Kulbushan Jadhav. The tribunal said that prima facie, Pakistan had ignored Article 36 of the Vienna Convention -- which provides countries the right to consular access. The stay on Jadhav's execution forced Pakistan to go back to their drawing board while their neighbours let out a huge sigh of relief and its media tom-tommed about outsmarting Islamabad in the international court. Though India has won the first round of the bout, a moral victory of sense, it should not count its chickens yet as it has all the ingredients of being a long-drawn 15-round slugfest in the world court. To dampen India's spirits further, it won't be surprising if Pakistan flies in the face of the ICJ and decides to ignore the ruling. And how can they do that? There has been a litany of cases where countries have cocked a snook at the UN's primary judicial organ over the last seven decades. A defanged court Sprawling, well-manicured lawns roll out in front of an opulent, neo-renaissance red-brick building to give the International Court of Justice a mystique of ultimate power and authority. But the chambers' resplendence and its importance of being the world court notwithstanding, the ICJ has often withered under the onslaught of diplomatic brinkmanship and stubborn governments. There are two key reasons the international tribunal sometimes is left powerless. Firstly, the ICJ can do nothing if a country has not conceded to the court's jurisdiction. Secondly, the ICJ is the last resort in the judicial hierarchy. An aggrieved party cannot appeal its verdict. That leads to several countries dismissing ICJ rulings. One such case was when India defied ICJ's ruling in 1999. A Pakistani military plane was shot down in the Indian air space, but New Delhi said the ICJ had no jurisdiction to settle a dispute between two Commonwealth countries -- an argument that was accepted by the world court. In Jadhav's case too, Pakistan can very well cite the 1999 case to ignore ICJ's ruling. There are other precedents too. Most recently, China aggressively ignored the tribunal's stinging verdict on its territorial claims in the South China Sea. The ICJ had also claimed that China had breached Philippines' sovereign rights in those waters. But Beijing outrightly rejected the 2016 ruling and vowed to bolster its claims over the South China Sea. "China will take all necessary measures to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily had said, days after the ICJ ruled against them. In 2014, Japan defied the court's ruling that it should stop its whaling program in the Southern Ocean. In 1986, the United States had similarly dismissed the tribunal's verdict, which asked Washington to pay reparations to Sandinistas. One of the examples that will worry the Indians most is a 1982 case where two German citizens were executed by the United States even after the case went to the UN tribunal. UNSC migraine Further, the permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, UK, France, Russia and China -- are tasked to enforce the court's verdict. But even if one of the members does not agree with the court order, the UNSC cannot enforce the injunction. From the outside -- and though it is merely hypothetical as of now -- if China vetoes the verdict, like they have repeatedly blocked India's request in the UN to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as terrorist, the UNSC will be unable to put pressure on Pakistan to obey the final verdict. Pakistan will keep a close eye on exploring this option as they have an increasingly growing relations with China. Lengthy trials The other problem India needs to counter is the court's notoriously ponderous ways to decide a case. The ICJ completes only two to three cases a year. There have also been times when it has taken almost a decade to decide a case, just like it did in the Qatar vs Bahrain territorial dispute case. And in Jadhav's case, it is possible that the trial will drag on, given the shadowy nature of the entire episode that has further worsened an already-strained relation between India and Pakistan. Yes, India has gained the moral ground and maybe a battle, but the proverbial war isn't over yet. It's no doom and gloom for Pakistan either. The case is still in its nascent stage and they will hope they have sufficient evidence to prove that Jadhav was indeed an Indian agent operating to "destablise" Pakistan. (WION)

Kulbhushan Jadhav case: A long, hard court battle ahead

Pakistan said they haven&#39;t lost the Indian spy case, days after the International Court of Justice asked Islamabad to not execute the accused until the final verdict is delivered.

The diplomate also reiterated Pakistan&#39;s stand that Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav cannot be acquitted by the tribunal and his punishment will be in accordance with domestic laws.

Sartaj Aziz,&nbsp;adviser to Pakistan&#39;s prime minister on foreign affairs, said: &quot;If India thinks they have won the case, they are wrong.&quot;

&ldquo;Wrong to say Pakistan lost at ICJ, court stayed execution, didn&rsquo;t order on consular access to Jadhav,&rdquo; Aziz said.

&ldquo;There was paucity of time earlier, we will strengthen our legal team for the next time,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Aziz said that when it comes to cases involving the death penalty, the international court has always given a stay order.

The top diplomat claimed that Jadhav was not an ordinary Indian, he was &ldquo;an officer in the Indian Navy who has also admitted to carrying out espionage activities in Pakistan.&rdquo;

On May 18, the UN tribunal had asked Pakistan to not execute Kulbhushan Jadhav before they decide the case.

Earlier this year, a Pakistani military court had found Jadhav to be an Indian spy and had sentenced him to death -- &nbsp;verdict dubbed as &quot;premeditated murder&quot; by India.

A defiant New Delhi subsequently approached the world court, citing that Pakistan had denied them consular access, which contravenes Article 36 of the Vinenna Protocol.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-just-the-beginning-of-a-long-hard-court-battle-15811">Read: Can Pakistan reject the ICJ ruling?</a>

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

Jadhav was sentenced according to the laws of Pakistan after he admitted to entering the country on fake passport and involvement in terror activities, the top diplomat added.

Jadhav&rsquo;s case is the latest flashpoint in the tensions between Pakistan and India.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The adviser to Pakistan prime minister on foreign affairs said the ICJ has not asked them to provide India with consular access

Pakistan said they haven't lost the Indian spy case, days after the International Court of Justice asked Islamabad to not execute the accused until the final verdict is delivered. The diplomate also reiterated Pakistan's stand that Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav cannot be acquitted by the tribunal and his punishment will be in accordance with domestic laws. Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistan's prime minister on foreign affairs, said: "If India thinks they have won the case, they are wrong." “Wrong to say Pakistan lost at ICJ, court stayed execution, didn’t order on consular access to Jadhav,” Aziz said. “There was paucity of time earlier, we will strengthen our legal team for the next time,” he added. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Aziz said that when it comes to cases involving the death penalty, the international court has always given a stay order. The top diplomat claimed that Jadhav was not an ordinary Indian, he was “an officer in the Indian Navy who has also admitted to carrying out espionage activities in Pakistan.” On May 18, the UN tribunal had asked Pakistan to not execute Kulbhushan Jadhav before they decide the case. Earlier this year, a Pakistani military court had found Jadhav to be an Indian spy and had sentenced him to death -- verdict dubbed as "premeditated murder" by India. A defiant New Delhi subsequently approached the world court, citing that Pakistan had denied them consular access, which contravenes Article 36 of the Vinenna Protocol. Read: Can Pakistan reject the ICJ ruling? Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. Jadhav was sentenced according to the laws of Pakistan after he admitted to entering the country on fake passport and involvement in terror activities, the top diplomat added. Jadhav’s case is the latest flashpoint in the tensions between Pakistan and India. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kulbhushan Jadhav cannot be acquitted by world court: Pakistan diplomat

In a remote northern Pakistani valley surrounded by giant ice-capped peaks, villagers gather to watch a game of Buzkashi, an ancient equestrian sport once seen as a key test of virility that is now struggling for survival.

Baksh Dil Khan, a retired schoolteacher is saddling his horse as his wife sprinkles a pinch of flour over the animal for good luck, worried that the snowfall that blankets the Chapursan Valley will make the day&#39;s match too treacherous.&nbsp;

The burly, moustached 52-year-old is one of the sports&#39; last two dozen players in this region of roughly 2000 people, which shares a border with Afghanistan to the east and the north.

A black goat is led out to the middle of the grounds for the players to inspect. Some pick it up before nodding their approval.&nbsp;

It is taken away, later returning as a headless, disemboweled carcass and is placed in a circle in the centre of the field.

This body is the prize the horseman will jostle over in the game, made up of a series of rounds in which they aim to throw it back into the circle.&nbsp;

Goals are met with enthusiastic shouts of &#39;Halal&#39; from the crowd, a sign they believe it was legitimately scored.

Buzkashi is a way for players to show off their equestrian skills and manliness, but there are also prizes and cash to secure.&nbsp;

Baksh has won PKR 4,000 ($40), three packs of cigarettes and a cellphone.&nbsp;

&quot;I almost broke my neck for these three packs of cigarettes and I am not even a smoker,&quot; he jokes -- he fell twice from his horse during the game.&nbsp;

Unlike in neighbouring Afghanistan or Central Asia where the sport remains vibrant, Baksh fears the tradition will die out in Pakistan.

&quot;It is dying down and there are only half a dozen old players left, the new generation is not taking much interest in the game and we have only around a dozen young players,&quot; he explains.

Now even finding enough horses can be a challenge as many locals have sold their steeds to buy modern comforts, says 38-year-old Taj Muhammad.

&quot;Buzkashi will be just an event of the past, a story for our children,&quot; he muses.

For Aziz Ali Dad, a cultural anthropologist, the decline of the bloodsport is a sign of Pakistan&#39;s diminishing cultural ties with Central Asia, where the game originated.

In Hunza, it has long been a mainstay of the Wakhi people, who are also found in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Xinjiang in China.

But Aziz says the lack of contact between them today means Buzkashi is &quot;on the verge of extinction in Pakistan.&quot;

Defiant, Baksh vows to ride on, even if others give up.

He insists: &quot;I will continue to play even if I am the last player, the game should at least survive till my death.&quot;

(AFP)

An ancient equestrian sport once seen as a key test of virility is now struggling for survival

In a remote northern Pakistani valley surrounded by giant ice-capped peaks, villagers gather to watch a game of Buzkashi, an ancient equestrian sport once seen as a key test of virility that is now struggling for survival. Baksh Dil Khan, a retired schoolteacher is saddling his horse as his wife sprinkles a pinch of flour over the animal for good luck, worried that the snowfall that blankets the Chapursan Valley will make the day's match too treacherous. The burly, moustached 52-year-old is one of the sports' last two dozen players in this region of roughly 2000 people, which shares a border with Afghanistan to the east and the north. A black goat is led out to the middle of the grounds for the players to inspect. Some pick it up before nodding their approval. It is taken away, later returning as a headless, disemboweled carcass and is placed in a circle in the centre of the field. This body is the prize the horseman will jostle over in the game, made up of a series of rounds in which they aim to throw it back into the circle. Goals are met with enthusiastic shouts of 'Halal' from the crowd, a sign they believe it was legitimately scored. Buzkashi is a way for players to show off their equestrian skills and manliness, but there are also prizes and cash to secure. Baksh has won PKR 4,000 ($40), three packs of cigarettes and a cellphone. "I almost broke my neck for these three packs of cigarettes and I am not even a smoker," he jokes -- he fell twice from his horse during the game. Unlike in neighbouring Afghanistan or Central Asia where the sport remains vibrant, Baksh fears the tradition will die out in Pakistan. "It is dying down and there are only half a dozen old players left, the new generation is not taking much interest in the game and we have only around a dozen young players," he explains. Now even finding enough horses can be a challenge as many locals have sold their steeds to buy modern comforts, says 38-year-old Taj Muhammad. "Buzkashi will be just an event of the past, a story for our children," he muses. For Aziz Ali Dad, a cultural anthropologist, the decline of the bloodsport is a sign of Pakistan's diminishing cultural ties with Central Asia, where the game originated. In Hunza, it has long been a mainstay of the Wakhi people, who are also found in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Xinjiang in China. But Aziz says the lack of contact between them today means Buzkashi is "on the verge of extinction in Pakistan." Defiant, Baksh vows to ride on, even if others give up. He insists: "I will continue to play even if I am the last player, the game should at least survive till my death." (AFP)

The dying sport of Buzkashi in Pakistan

The UN&#39;s top court is to rule Thursday on an urgent bid by India to stop Pakistan from carrying out a death sentence imposed on an Indian national convicted of spying.

In an emergency hearing on Monday held only days after India lodged its case, lawyers for New Delhi called on the International Court of Justice to order Islamabad to suspend its execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Jadhav was arrested in the southwestern province of Balochistan in March 2016 and Pakistani officials claim he has confessed to spying for Indian intelligence services.

A military court in Pakistan sentenced him to death last month.&nbsp;

The UN tribunal, based in The Hague, said in a statement issued Wednesday that it &quot;will deliver its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures made by India in the Jadhav Case (India v. Pakistan), tomorrow on Thursday 18 May 2017&quot;.

The president of the court, Ronny Abraham, will read out the decision at 3.30 pm.

The case, a rare foray for the two nations into the international courts, has highlighted the recent sharp upsurge in tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals.&nbsp;

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Locals hold &#39;Hawan&#39; in Mumbai, ahead International Court of Justice&#39;s verdict on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> today <a href="https://t.co/aimuMc3mbf">pic.twitter.com/aimuMc3mbf</a>
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India has denied Jadhav was a spy, and on Monday accused Pakistan of &quot;egregious violations of the Vienna convention&quot; by denying him access to legal counsel and consular visits, and refusing to reveal the charge sheet against him.

It wants the ICJ to decide whether Pakistan has broken the convention and international human rights law.

But in the meantime as the court considers whether to take up India&#39;&#39;s case, New Delhi asked the tribunal to order a stay of execution until the end of the legal battle.

Jadhav was &quot;an innocent Indian national, who, incarcerated in Pakistan for more than a year on concocted charges ... has been held incommunicado... and faces imminent execution,&quot; Indian lawyer Deepak Mittal told the tribunal Monday.

But Pakistani representatives accused New Delhi of &quot;political grandstanding&quot; and told the court Jadhav &quot;has confessed to having been sent by India to wage terror on the innocent civilians and infrastructure of Pakistan&quot;.

Lawyer Khawar Qureshi denied the execution was imminent, though he did not give a timeframe.

The ICJ was set up in 1945 to rule on disputes between nations in accordance with international law.

The last time India and Pakistan took a dispute to the ICJ was in 1999 when Islamabad protested against the downing of a Pakistani navy plane that killed 16 people.

In that case, the tribunal decided it was not competent to rule in the dispute and closed the case.

India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries, and it is not uncommon for either nation to expel diplomats accused of espionage, particularly at times of high tension.

But death sentences have rarely been issued in recent years.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The president of the court, Ronny Abraham, will read out the decision at 3.30 pm

The UN's top court is to rule Thursday on an urgent bid by India to stop Pakistan from carrying out a death sentence imposed on an Indian national convicted of spying. In an emergency hearing on Monday held only days after India lodged its case, lawyers for New Delhi called on the International Court of Justice to order Islamabad to suspend its execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav. Jadhav was arrested in the southwestern province of Balochistan in March 2016 and Pakistani officials claim he has confessed to spying for Indian intelligence services. A military court in Pakistan sentenced him to death last month. The UN tribunal, based in The Hague, said in a statement issued Wednesday that it "will deliver its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures made by India in the Jadhav Case (India v. Pakistan), tomorrow on Thursday 18 May 2017". The president of the court, Ronny Abraham, will read out the decision at 3.30 pm. The case, a rare foray for the two nations into the international courts, has highlighted the recent sharp upsurge in tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Locals hold 'Hawan' in Mumbai, ahead International Court of Justice's verdict on #KulbhushanJadhav today pic.twitter.com/aimuMc3mbf — ANI (@ANI_news) May 18, 2017 × India has denied Jadhav was a spy, and on Monday accused Pakistan of "egregious violations of the Vienna convention" by denying him access to legal counsel and consular visits, and refusing to reveal the charge sheet against him. It wants the ICJ to decide whether Pakistan has broken the convention and international human rights law. But in the meantime as the court considers whether to take up India''s case, New Delhi asked the tribunal to order a stay of execution until the end of the legal battle. Jadhav was "an innocent Indian national, who, incarcerated in Pakistan for more than a year on concocted charges ... has been held incommunicado... and faces imminent execution," Indian lawyer Deepak Mittal told the tribunal Monday. But Pakistani representatives accused New Delhi of "political grandstanding" and told the court Jadhav "has confessed to having been sent by India to wage terror on the innocent civilians and infrastructure of Pakistan". Lawyer Khawar Qureshi denied the execution was imminent, though he did not give a timeframe. The ICJ was set up in 1945 to rule on disputes between nations in accordance with international law. The last time India and Pakistan took a dispute to the ICJ was in 1999 when Islamabad protested against the downing of a Pakistani navy plane that killed 16 people. In that case, the tribunal decided it was not competent to rule in the dispute and closed the case. India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries, and it is not uncommon for either nation to expel diplomats accused of espionage, particularly at times of high tension. But death sentences have rarely been issued in recent years. (AFP)

International Court of Justice to rule on Kulbhushan Jadhav case today

A dog was reportedly &quot;sentenced to death&quot; in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province for biting a child.

A Geo TV report said assistant comissioner &nbsp;&quot;sentenced the dog to death&quot; in&nbsp;Bhakkar&#39;s Kalor area.&nbsp;

Saleem told Geo TV that the sentence was announced on humanitarian grounds.

&quot;The dog injured the child hence it should be killed,&quot; Saleem reportedly ruled.&nbsp;

The dog&#39;s owner has&nbsp;filed an appeal with the additional deputy commissioner, Geo TV reported.&nbsp;

&quot;The affected child&#39;s family registered a case against my dog, following which it completed a one-week prison sentence. Any further punishment for it would be unfair,&quot; the channel quoted the dog&#39;s owner Jamil as saying.

Jamil told Geo TV&nbsp;&nbsp;he would knock on the doors of all courts to get justice for his pet.

(WION)

The dog's owner has?filed an appeal with the additional deputy commissioner to challenge the 'sentencing', Geo TV reported

A dog was reportedly "sentenced to death" in Pakistan's Punjab province for biting a child. A Geo TV report said assistant comissioner "sentenced the dog to death" in Bhakkar's Kalor area. Saleem told Geo TV that the sentence was announced on humanitarian grounds. "The dog injured the child hence it should be killed," Saleem reportedly ruled. The dog's owner has filed an appeal with the additional deputy commissioner, Geo TV reported. "The affected child's family registered a case against my dog, following which it completed a one-week prison sentence. Any further punishment for it would be unfair," the channel quoted the dog's owner Jamil as saying. Jamil told Geo TV he would knock on the doors of all courts to get justice for his pet. (WION)

Dog 'sentenced to death' in Pakistan for biting child

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was last a battleground for India and Pakistan nearly 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft.

On Monday, the ICJ, which is the UN&#39;s principal judicial organ, is holding a public hearing at the Great Hall of Justice housed in the Peace Palace at The Hague in Netherlands where the two countries will be asked to present their case over the contentious Jadhav issue.

India on May 8 moved a petition before the UN Body to seek justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav, 46, alleging violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by Pakistan after its 16 requests for consular access to the former naval officer was consistently denied.

A Pakistani military court awarded death sentence to Jadhav last month for alleged espionage and subversive activities. Pakistan has also not responded to the request for visas applied by Jadhav&#39;s family. Jadhav was arrested on March 3 last year.

The previous case related to shooting down of Pakistan&#39;s maritime reconnaissance aircraft Atlantique by the Indian Air Force(IAF) in the Kutch region on August 10, 1999, killing all 16 naval personnel on board. Pakistan claimed the plane was brought down in its air space and sought 60 million USD in damages from India for the incident.

A 16-judge bench of the court on June 21, 2000 voted 14-2 to dismiss Pakistan&#39;s claim. The decision was announced by bench president Gilbert Guillaume of France at a public sitting. The verdict was final and there was no appeal.

The ICJ found that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Pakistan on September 21, 1999.

Public hearings in the case titled &#39;Aerial incident of August 10, 1999 (Pakistan vs India)&#39; lasted four days ending April 6, 2000. Arguments centred on the court&#39;s jurisdiction in the case which had to be determined before its merits could be considered by the 16 judges.

The Atlantique case was ousted by the ICJ on the issue of jurisdiction and not on merits. Both parties had agreed that the question of jurisdiction would be decided first and only then would the issue of merits be taken up.

Guillaume said the court would first have to decide whether it had the jurisdiction to go into the case as contended by New Delhi after the Indian delegation led by the then Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, raised preliminary objections to its jurisdiction.

Pakistan opened the first round of oral arguments, India replying them, and then Pakistan following with its second round, with India making its response thereto.

India argued that the court did not have jurisdiction in the matter, citing an exemption it had filed way back in 1974 to exclude disputes between India and other Commonwealth states, and disputes covered by multilateral treaties.

Sorabjee told the court that Pakistan was &quot;solely responsible&quot; for the incident and Islamabad must &quot;bear the consequences of its own acts.&quot;

Pakistan&#39;s Attorney General Aziz Munshi had sought a speedy resolution, saying its application had to be concluded quickly so that it did not remain an irritant in Indo-Pak relations.

Pakistan had also sought to politicise the case by referring to the Kashmir issue, the Kargil conflict, Indo-Pak relations and alleged motives for the shooting.

Pakistan wanted the court to intervene while India was opposed to its assumption of jurisdiction on the basis of Islamabad&#39;s application.

It urged the court to &quot;dismiss the objections raised by India and accept its jurisdiction.&quot; India maintained that none of Pakistan&#39;s arguments is &#39;sound&#39; and does not provide a basis for invoking the court&#39;s jurisdiction.

Sorabjee expressed happiness with the court&#39;s verdict. &quot;We are very happy. The court has accepted all our contentions,&quot; he had said.

Former supreme court judge B P Jeevan Reddy and Pakistan&#39;s former Attorney General Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada were co-opted into the bench as ad-hoc judges.

As per ICJ rules, when it does not include a judge possessing the nationality of the state party to a case, the state may appoint a person to sit as a judge ad-hoc for the purpose of the case.

The court also recalled that its lack of jurisdiction does not relieve States of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means.

The choice of those means admittedly rests with the parties under Article 33 of the UN Charter, it said, adding, they are nonetheless under an obligation to seek such a settlement, and to do so in good faith in accordance with the Charter.

As regards India and Pakistan, that obligation was restated more particularly in the Simla Accord of July 2, 1972. Moreover, the Lahore Declaration of 21 February, 1999 reiterated &quot;the determination of both countries to implementing the Simla Agreement,&quot; it said.

Accordingly, the court reminded the parties of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means, and in particular the dispute arising out of the Atlantique incident in conformity with the obligations which they have undertaken.

India&#39;s External Affairs Ministry while hailing the verdict especially welcomed the court&#39;s positive observations on the principles enunciated in the Simla agreement and Lahore Declaration as the basis for an Indo-Pak rapprochement.

Through its comments, the court has vindicated India&#39;s stand on these landmark agreements that are the very cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, a ministry spokesman had said.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The last time India and Pakistan went to the International Court of Justice was 18 years ago

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was last a battleground for India and Pakistan nearly 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft. On Monday, the ICJ, which is the UN's principal judicial organ, is holding a public hearing at the Great Hall of Justice housed in the Peace Palace at The Hague in Netherlands where the two countries will be asked to present their case over the contentious Jadhav issue. India on May 8 moved a petition before the UN Body to seek justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav, 46, alleging violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by Pakistan after its 16 requests for consular access to the former naval officer was consistently denied. A Pakistani military court awarded death sentence to Jadhav last month for alleged espionage and subversive activities. Pakistan has also not responded to the request for visas applied by Jadhav's family. Jadhav was arrested on March 3 last year. The previous case related to shooting down of Pakistan's maritime reconnaissance aircraft Atlantique by the Indian Air Force(IAF) in the Kutch region on August 10, 1999, killing all 16 naval personnel on board. Pakistan claimed the plane was brought down in its air space and sought 60 million USD in damages from India for the incident. A 16-judge bench of the court on June 21, 2000 voted 14-2 to dismiss Pakistan's claim. The decision was announced by bench president Gilbert Guillaume of France at a public sitting. The verdict was final and there was no appeal. The ICJ found that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Pakistan on September 21, 1999. Public hearings in the case titled 'Aerial incident of August 10, 1999 (Pakistan vs India)' lasted four days ending April 6, 2000. Arguments centred on the court's jurisdiction in the case which had to be determined before its merits could be considered by the 16 judges. The Atlantique case was ousted by the ICJ on the issue of jurisdiction and not on merits. Both parties had agreed that the question of jurisdiction would be decided first and only then would the issue of merits be taken up. Guillaume said the court would first have to decide whether it had the jurisdiction to go into the case as contended by New Delhi after the Indian delegation led by the then Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, raised preliminary objections to its jurisdiction. Pakistan opened the first round of oral arguments, India replying them, and then Pakistan following with its second round, with India making its response thereto. India argued that the court did not have jurisdiction in the matter, citing an exemption it had filed way back in 1974 to exclude disputes between India and other Commonwealth states, and disputes covered by multilateral treaties. Sorabjee told the court that Pakistan was "solely responsible" for the incident and Islamabad must "bear the consequences of its own acts." Pakistan's Attorney General Aziz Munshi had sought a speedy resolution, saying its application had to be concluded quickly so that it did not remain an irritant in Indo-Pak relations. Pakistan had also sought to politicise the case by referring to the Kashmir issue, the Kargil conflict, Indo-Pak relations and alleged motives for the shooting. Pakistan wanted the court to intervene while India was opposed to its assumption of jurisdiction on the basis of Islamabad's application. It urged the court to "dismiss the objections raised by India and accept its jurisdiction." India maintained that none of Pakistan's arguments is 'sound' and does not provide a basis for invoking the court's jurisdiction. Sorabjee expressed happiness with the court's verdict. "We are very happy. The court has accepted all our contentions," he had said. Former supreme court judge B P Jeevan Reddy and Pakistan's former Attorney General Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada were co-opted into the bench as ad-hoc judges. As per ICJ rules, when it does not include a judge possessing the nationality of the state party to a case, the state may appoint a person to sit as a judge ad-hoc for the purpose of the case. The court also recalled that its lack of jurisdiction does not relieve States of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means. The choice of those means admittedly rests with the parties under Article 33 of the UN Charter, it said, adding, they are nonetheless under an obligation to seek such a settlement, and to do so in good faith in accordance with the Charter. As regards India and Pakistan, that obligation was restated more particularly in the Simla Accord of July 2, 1972. Moreover, the Lahore Declaration of 21 February, 1999 reiterated "the determination of both countries to implementing the Simla Agreement," it said. Accordingly, the court reminded the parties of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means, and in particular the dispute arising out of the Atlantique incident in conformity with the obligations which they have undertaken. India's External Affairs Ministry while hailing the verdict especially welcomed the court's positive observations on the principles enunciated in the Simla agreement and Lahore Declaration as the basis for an Indo-Pak rapprochement. Through its comments, the court has vindicated India's stand on these landmark agreements that are the very cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, a ministry spokesman had said. (PTI)

ICJ to begin public hearing in Kulbhushan Jadhav case today

Pakistani troops shelled, heavily, areas along the LoC in Rajouri district for the second consecutive day today, causing heavy damage to buildings and forcing the&nbsp;evacuation of 1,000 border dwellers.

The Indian Army effectively retaliated.

Pakistan Army had yesterday pounded civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC in Nowshera area with mortars, killing two civilians and injuring three.

&quot;Pakistani Army has resorted to indiscriminate firing of small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0645 hours along the Line of Control in Rajouri sector&quot;, a Defence Spokesman said.

&quot;The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on&quot;, he said.

Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudgary said fresh ceasefire violation has been reported in &#39;chitibakri&#39; area of Chingus in Rajouri today.

&quot;Heavy shelling started in Manjakote area of Rajouri at O620 hours. More than seven villages have been affected&quot;, the DC said.

Choudhary said there was massive damage to buildings.

He said the number of migrants at relief camps swelled to 978 overnight. Till now 259 families have been evacuated from three villages, he added.

51 schools in Nowshera sector have been closed for an indefinite period while 36 in Manjakote and Doongi zones have been closed for three days. 4,600 students study in 87 schools, he added.

After the Pakistani shelling, 1000 people were evacuated from various areas along the LoC in Rajouri district to safer places.

&quot;Risking their lives officials and police evacuated 996 people from various shelling hit villages and shifted them to various camps established by district administration where facilities of ration, cooking, drinking water, sanitation, first aid and proper accommodation have been provided,&quot; Choudhary said.

So far, three camps have been made operational and 28 others notified in wake of expected migration from affected villages, Choudhary said.

&quot;Six ambulances have been pressed into action for shifting of injured and treatment. One mobile medical unit was stationed at Nowshera and another deputed to forward areas,&quot; he added.

Around 120 officers from various departments have been deployed to organise facilities at relief camp.

The district administration has provided immediate relief and financial assistance to the next of kin of the deceased and to the injured, he said.

A control room has been established in the office of SDM Nowshera for coordination.

The government had last month said that Pakistani security forces had violated the ceasefire 268 times in the last one year.

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan came into force in November 2003.

(PTI)

Two civilians had been killed and 3 injured in cross-border firing on Saturday

Pakistani troops shelled, heavily, areas along the LoC in Rajouri district for the second consecutive day today, causing heavy damage to buildings and forcing the evacuation of 1,000 border dwellers. The Indian Army effectively retaliated. Pakistan Army had yesterday pounded civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC in Nowshera area with mortars, killing two civilians and injuring three. "Pakistani Army has resorted to indiscriminate firing of small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0645 hours along the Line of Control in Rajouri sector", a Defence Spokesman said. "The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on", he said. Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudgary said fresh ceasefire violation has been reported in 'chitibakri' area of Chingus in Rajouri today. "Heavy shelling started in Manjakote area of Rajouri at O620 hours. More than seven villages have been affected", the DC said. Choudhary said there was massive damage to buildings. He said the number of migrants at relief camps swelled to 978 overnight. Till now 259 families have been evacuated from three villages, he added. 51 schools in Nowshera sector have been closed for an indefinite period while 36 in Manjakote and Doongi zones have been closed for three days. 4,600 students study in 87 schools, he added. After the Pakistani shelling, 1000 people were evacuated from various areas along the LoC in Rajouri district to safer places. "Risking their lives officials and police evacuated 996 people from various shelling hit villages and shifted them to various camps established by district administration where facilities of ration, cooking, drinking water, sanitation, first aid and proper accommodation have been provided," Choudhary said. So far, three camps have been made operational and 28 others notified in wake of expected migration from affected villages, Choudhary said. "Six ambulances have been pressed into action for shifting of injured and treatment. One mobile medical unit was stationed at Nowshera and another deputed to forward areas," he added. Around 120 officers from various departments have been deployed to organise facilities at relief camp. The district administration has provided immediate relief and financial assistance to the next of kin of the deceased and to the injured, he said. A control room has been established in the office of SDM Nowshera for coordination. The government had last month said that Pakistani security forces had violated the ceasefire 268 times in the last one year. The ceasefire between India and Pakistan came into force in November 2003. (PTI)

Kashmir: 1,000 people evacuated from along LoC

A statement has been issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), which carried a warning for all TV channels against airing unverified news or analysis themed around the Pakistan Army or its relationship with the civilian government.

Pemra has made it clear that all news and current affairs TV channels shall not divulge news or analysis pertaining to the country`s civil-military relations without confirmation from the concerned authority.

Pemra believes the content can prove to be problematic if it accuses the military of something, or tarnishes its &quot;image&quot;.&nbsp;

The statement further added, &quot;Those found in violation of the new Pemra guideline would be charged under Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002.&quot;Earlier this week, the Pemra chairman was assured of the Army chief`s support in dealing with threats the employees had been allegedly facing.

(ANI)&nbsp;

Pemra has made it clear that all news and current affairs TV channels shall not divulge news or analysis pertaining to the country`s civil-military relations without confirmation from the concerned authority

A statement has been issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), which carried a warning for all TV channels against airing unverified news or analysis themed around the Pakistan Army or its relationship with the civilian government. Pemra has made it clear that all news and current affairs TV channels shall not divulge news or analysis pertaining to the country`s civil-military relations without confirmation from the concerned authority. Pemra believes the content can prove to be problematic if it accuses the military of something, or tarnishes its "image". The statement further added, "Those found in violation of the new Pemra guideline would be charged under Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002."Earlier this week, the Pemra chairman was assured of the Army chief`s support in dealing with threats the employees had been allegedly facing. (ANI)

Pak TV regulator tells channels not to air anti-Army content

Islamabad will overrule the International Court of Justice`s (ICJ) order to suspend the execution of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court, Pakistan`s local media reports said.

According to Pakistan`s local media reports, the Attorney General of Pakistan &quot;was briefed on the issue on Friday and according to sources, Pakistan will deny jurisdiction of International Court of Justice (ICJ) over cases that have national stability at stake.&quot;

Earlier, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, sent an urgent communication to Pakistan from the office of its President under Article 74 for Islamabad and New Delhi`s cooperation till a decision is reached on the death sentence case of former Indian naval officer and alleged spy Khulbhushan Jadhav.

Judge Ronny Abraham, the President of the ICJ, forwarded the urgent communication to both Pakistan and India.

ICJ President Judge Abraham in his letter to Pakistan Prime MInister Nawaz Sharif, said, &quot;In my capacity as President of the Court, and exercising the powers conferred upon me under Article 74 , Paragraph 4, of the rules, I call upon the parties concerned ie. Your Excellency`s Government, pending the court`s decision on the request for provisional measures, to act in such a way as will enable any order the court may make on this request to have its appropriate effects.&quot;

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be holding public hearings in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case on May 15. Indian lawyer Harish Salve will argue the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav on New Delhi`s behalf. Pakistan was caught by surprise when India move swiftly to ICJ and Islamabad received a midnight order that stayed the execution of Jadhav.

The development came after India instituted proceedings against Pakistan, accusing the latter of &quot;egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations&quot; in the matter of detention and trial of Jadhav, and sought a stay on his death sentence. Pakistan has denied consular access to Jadhav on 16 occasions.

India earlier contended that it was not informed of Jadhav`s detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan had failed to inform the accused of his rights, an official release from the ICJ said.India submitted that it had information that Jadhav was &quot;kidnapped from Iran, where he was carrying on business after retiring from the Indian Navy, and was then shown to have been arrested in Balochistan&quot; on March 3, 2016, and that the Indian authorities were notified of that arrest on March 25, 2016.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Jadhav's execution, ordered by a Pakistani military court, was stayed by the International Court of Justice

Islamabad will overrule the International Court of Justice`s (ICJ) order to suspend the execution of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court, Pakistan`s local media reports said. According to Pakistan`s local media reports, the Attorney General of Pakistan "was briefed on the issue on Friday and according to sources, Pakistan will deny jurisdiction of International Court of Justice (ICJ) over cases that have national stability at stake." Earlier, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, sent an urgent communication to Pakistan from the office of its President under Article 74 for Islamabad and New Delhi`s cooperation till a decision is reached on the death sentence case of former Indian naval officer and alleged spy Khulbhushan Jadhav. Judge Ronny Abraham, the President of the ICJ, forwarded the urgent communication to both Pakistan and India. ICJ President Judge Abraham in his letter to Pakistan Prime MInister Nawaz Sharif, said, "In my capacity as President of the Court, and exercising the powers conferred upon me under Article 74 , Paragraph 4, of the rules, I call upon the parties concerned ie. Your Excellency`s Government, pending the court`s decision on the request for provisional measures, to act in such a way as will enable any order the court may make on this request to have its appropriate effects." The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be holding public hearings in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case on May 15. Indian lawyer Harish Salve will argue the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav on New Delhi`s behalf. Pakistan was caught by surprise when India move swiftly to ICJ and Islamabad received a midnight order that stayed the execution of Jadhav. The development came after India instituted proceedings against Pakistan, accusing the latter of "egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations" in the matter of detention and trial of Jadhav, and sought a stay on his death sentence. Pakistan has denied consular access to Jadhav on 16 occasions. India earlier contended that it was not informed of Jadhav`s detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan had failed to inform the accused of his rights, an official release from the ICJ said.India submitted that it had information that Jadhav was "kidnapped from Iran, where he was carrying on business after retiring from the Indian Navy, and was then shown to have been arrested in Balochistan" on March 3, 2016, and that the Indian authorities were notified of that arrest on March 25, 2016. (ANI)

Pakistan to overrule ICJ order staying Jadhav execution: Pakistani media reports

Two persons were killed and three injured when Pakistani army fired mortar bombs and automatic weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Rajouri district today.

The same day terrorists opened fire on a patrol party of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Tral. The entire area has been cordoned off as the Army is sweeping the area for the presence of untoward elements.

The security forces were patrolling the Seer village of Tral when unidentified militants opened fire on them, triggering a brief gunfight, a police official said.

There was no immediate report of any casualty, he said, adding that&nbsp;a cordon and search operation has been launched to track the militants.

The Indian Army is retaliating &quot;strongly and effectively&quot;,&nbsp;PRO Ministry of Defence, Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta told PTI, adding that the firing was continuing when reports last came in.

&quot;Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic weapons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Nowshera sector,&quot; Lt Col Mehta said.

&quot;Two persons have been killed and three others injured in the firing and shelling by Pakistani Army along LoC in Nowshera belt,&quot; Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajouri Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told PTI.

Over 100 more people have migrated to safer places from five hamlets near the LoC which have been targeted, the DC said.

Pakistani troops are targeting Jangarh, Bhawani, Laam belts, officials said.

The shelling in Rajouri is the third ceasefire violation by Pakistan in as many days. Earlier, a woman died and three persons were injured in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops.

A BSF man had suffered minor injury when Pakistani Rangers yesterday violated the ceasefire along International Border. On May 10th and 11th, Pakistani troops fired mortar shells on civilian areas near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, killing a woman and injuring two people.

In the wake of the Pakistani action in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district, schools in the area were closed down on May 11 and 12th .

An evacuation plan was activated for shifting over 1,500 people from various border hamlets to safer places.

The government had last month said that Pakistani security forces had violated the ceasefire 268 times in the last one year. Nine perons were killed in these incidents.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre had said that between April 2016 and March 2017, the maximum of 88 violations were witnessed in November 2016 followed by 78 in October 2016 and 22 in March this year.

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan came into force in November 2003.

(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

The same day terrorists opened fire on a patrol party of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral

Two persons were killed and three injured when Pakistani army fired mortar bombs and automatic weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district today. The same day terrorists opened fire on a patrol party of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral. The entire area has been cordoned off as the Army is sweeping the area for the presence of untoward elements. The security forces were patrolling the Seer village of Tral when unidentified militants opened fire on them, triggering a brief gunfight, a police official said. There was no immediate report of any casualty, he said, adding that a cordon and search operation has been launched to track the militants. The Indian Army is retaliating "strongly and effectively", PRO Ministry of Defence, Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta told PTI, adding that the firing was continuing when reports last came in. "Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic weapons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Nowshera sector," Lt Col Mehta said. "Two persons have been killed and three others injured in the firing and shelling by Pakistani Army along LoC in Nowshera belt," Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajouri Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told PTI. Over 100 more people have migrated to safer places from five hamlets near the LoC which have been targeted, the DC said. Pakistani troops are targeting Jangarh, Bhawani, Laam belts, officials said. The shelling in Rajouri is the third ceasefire violation by Pakistan in as many days. Earlier, a woman died and three persons were injured in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops. A BSF man had suffered minor injury when Pakistani Rangers yesterday violated the ceasefire along International Border. On May 10th and 11th, Pakistani troops fired mortar shells on civilian areas near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, killing a woman and injuring two people. In the wake of the Pakistani action in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district, schools in the area were closed down on May 11 and 12th . An evacuation plan was activated for shifting over 1,500 people from various border hamlets to safer places. The government had last month said that Pakistani security forces had violated the ceasefire 268 times in the last one year. Nine perons were killed in these incidents. Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre had said that between April 2016 and March 2017, the maximum of 88 violations were witnessed in November 2016 followed by 78 in October 2016 and 22 in March this year. The ceasefire between India and Pakistan came into force in November 2003. (WION with inputs from PTI)

2 killed in shelling along LoC; militants open fire on Indian Army patrol party

The April meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal was &quot;a part of a back-channel diplomacy&quot;, Pakistan&#39;s civil leadership informed the Army officials.

According to Geo News, Prime Minister Sharif, during one of his recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, had taken the latter into confidence over Jindal&#39;s visit to Pakistan.

Jindal went to Pakistan to reduce tension between the two neighbouring countries, Geo News quoted a BBC Urdu report, as saying.

The report also stated that COAS Bajwa also took his officials into confidence over the matter.

Earlier in April, businessman and entrepreneur Sajjan Jindal made a visit to Pakistan and met Nawaz Sharif.

Sajjan Jindal, along with other businessmen, met PM Nawaz Sharif in Murree.

The meeting came at a time when the two neighbouring nations were going through turbulent times.

(ANI)

According to Geo News, Prime Minister Sharif, during one of his recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, had taken the latter into confidence over Jindal's visit to Pakistan

The April meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal was "a part of a back-channel diplomacy", Pakistan's civil leadership informed the Army officials. According to Geo News, Prime Minister Sharif, during one of his recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, had taken the latter into confidence over Jindal's visit to Pakistan. Jindal went to Pakistan to reduce tension between the two neighbouring countries, Geo News quoted a BBC Urdu report, as saying. The report also stated that COAS Bajwa also took his officials into confidence over the matter. Earlier in April, businessman and entrepreneur Sajjan Jindal made a visit to Pakistan and met Nawaz Sharif. Sajjan Jindal, along with other businessmen, met PM Nawaz Sharif in Murree. The meeting came at a time when the two neighbouring nations were going through turbulent times. (ANI)

Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif says meeting with Jindal part of back-channel diplomacy

The Trump administration on Thursday blamed Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak relations and warned that the ties might worsen further if another &quot;high- profile&quot; terrorist attack emanates from across the border this year.

&quot;Islamabad&#39;s failure to curb support to anti-India militants and New Delhi&#39;s growing intolerance of this policy, coupled with a perceived lack of progress in Pakistan&#39;s investigations into the January 2016 Pathankot cross-border attack, set the stage for a deterioration of bilateral relations in 2016,&quot; Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.

Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence along with top intelligence officials, Coats said the relations between India and Pakistan became more tense following two major terrorist attacks in 2016 by militants crossing into India from Pakistan.

&quot;They might deteriorate further in 2017, especially in the event of another high-profile terrorist attack in India that New Delhi attributes to originating in or receiving assistance from Pakistan,&quot; Coats said in his testimony before the Senate committee on worldwide threats.

Supporting India&#39;s pre-condition for bilateral talks on Islamabad stopping support to cross border terrorism, Coats said increasing numbers of cross-firing along the Line of Control, including the use of artillery and mortars, might aggravate the risk of unintended escalation between the two countries.

&quot;Easing of heightened Indo-Pak tension, including negotiations to renew official dialogue, will probably hinge in 2017 on a sharp and sustained reduction of cross-border attacks by terrorist groups based in Pakistan and progress in the Pathankot investigation&quot;, Coats said.

Last year, heavily-armed terrorists sneaked in from across the border and attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station in Punjab. The attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.

Coats said Pakistan is concerned about its international isolation due to its dwindling position against India&#39;s rising international status, expanded foreign outreach and deepening ties with the US. Pakistan will likely turn to China to offset its isolation, empowering a relationship that will help Beijing to project influence into the Indian Ocean, said the top US intelligence official.

In his remarks ahead of the possible release of the Afghanistan policy of the Trump Administration, he said &quot;Pakistan-based terrorist groups will present a sustained threat to the US interests in the region and continue to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan.&quot;

&quot;The threat to the US and the West from Pakistani-based terrorist groups will be persistent but diffuse. Plotting against the US homeland will be conducted on a more opportunistic basis or driven by individual members within these groups,&quot;&nbsp;he told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Noting that Pakistan will probably be able to manage its internal security, he said anti-Pakistan groups are likely to focus more on soft targets.

&quot;The groups we judge will pose the greatest threat to Pakistan&#39;s internal security include Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat ui-Ahrar, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, ISIS-K, Laskhare Jhangvi, and Lashkar-e Jhangvi ai-Aiami, he said, adding that the emerging China Pakistan Economic Corridor will probably offer militants and terrorists additional targets.&quot;

Pakistan&#39;s pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons potentially lowers the threshold for their use, Coats warned.

&quot;Early deployment during a crisis of smaller, more mobile nuclear weapons would increase the amount of time that systems would be outside the relative security of a storage site, increasing the risk that a coordinated attack by non-state actors might succeed in capturing a complete nuclear weapon&quot;,he said.

(PTI)

Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence along with top intelligence officials, director of National Intelligence?Coats said the relations between India and Pakistan became more tense following two major terrorist attacks in 2016 by militants crossing into India from Pakistan.

The Trump administration on Thursday blamed Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak relations and warned that the ties might worsen further if another "high- profile" terrorist attack emanates from across the border this year. "Islamabad's failure to curb support to anti-India militants and New Delhi's growing intolerance of this policy, coupled with a perceived lack of progress in Pakistan's investigations into the January 2016 Pathankot cross-border attack, set the stage for a deterioration of bilateral relations in 2016," Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence along with top intelligence officials, Coats said the relations between India and Pakistan became more tense following two major terrorist attacks in 2016 by militants crossing into India from Pakistan. "They might deteriorate further in 2017, especially in the event of another high-profile terrorist attack in India that New Delhi attributes to originating in or receiving assistance from Pakistan," Coats said in his testimony before the Senate committee on worldwide threats. Supporting India's pre-condition for bilateral talks on Islamabad stopping support to cross border terrorism, Coats said increasing numbers of cross-firing along the Line of Control, including the use of artillery and mortars, might aggravate the risk of unintended escalation between the two countries. "Easing of heightened Indo-Pak tension, including negotiations to renew official dialogue, will probably hinge in 2017 on a sharp and sustained reduction of cross-border attacks by terrorist groups based in Pakistan and progress in the Pathankot investigation", Coats said. Last year, heavily-armed terrorists sneaked in from across the border and attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station in Punjab. The attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed. Coats said Pakistan is concerned about its international isolation due to its dwindling position against India's rising international status, expanded foreign outreach and deepening ties with the US. Pakistan will likely turn to China to offset its isolation, empowering a relationship that will help Beijing to project influence into the Indian Ocean, said the top US intelligence official. In his remarks ahead of the possible release of the Afghanistan policy of the Trump Administration, he said "Pakistan-based terrorist groups will present a sustained threat to the US interests in the region and continue to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan." "The threat to the US and the West from Pakistani-based terrorist groups will be persistent but diffuse. Plotting against the US homeland will be conducted on a more opportunistic basis or driven by individual members within these groups," he told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Noting that Pakistan will probably be able to manage its internal security, he said anti-Pakistan groups are likely to focus more on soft targets. "The groups we judge will pose the greatest threat to Pakistan's internal security include Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat ui-Ahrar, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, ISIS-K, Laskhare Jhangvi, and Lashkar-e Jhangvi ai-Aiami, he said, adding that the emerging China Pakistan Economic Corridor will probably offer militants and terrorists additional targets." Pakistan's pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons potentially lowers the threshold for their use, Coats warned. "Early deployment during a crisis of smaller, more mobile nuclear weapons would increase the amount of time that systems would be outside the relative security of a storage site, increasing the risk that a coordinated attack by non-state actors might succeed in capturing a complete nuclear weapon",he said. (PTI)

US blames Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak ties

Pakistan and Afghanistan plan on using Google Maps to help resolve a border dispute that led to deadly clashes last week, a senior Pakistani security source said Monday.

At least eight civilians were killed on both sides in fighting that began when a Pakistani census team accompanied by soldiers visited disputed villages along the southern border on Friday.

Pakistan inherited its 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) border with its western neighbour when it gained independence from the British Empire in 1947, but Afghanistan has never formally recognised the frontier.

And while official Afghan maps reflect the so-called &#39;Durand Line&#39;, many nationalists believe the true border of their country ends at the River Indus that runs through Pakistan and gave India its name.

A senior Pakistani security source in Islamabad who requested anonymity said: &quot;Officials from the geological survey departments of the two countries will conduct a survey, and they will also make use of Google Maps.&quot;

A second official in Quetta confirmed the sides had agreed to a survey.

Internet firm Google complies with local laws in certain countries that compel it to show borders in line with national demands -- for instance, its Indian site shows the entirety of disputed Kashmir as being controlled by India.

In Pakistan, however, the site shows the internationally-recognised de facto border, the Line of Control, marked with a dotted line to denote it is disputed.&nbsp;

Attempts by Pakistan to harden the traditionally soft border with Afghanistan through trenching and fencing that began in 2016 have been met with hostility by Kabul.

Ethnic Pashtuns living in the region have traditionally paid it little heed, with villages straddling the frontier that have mosques and houses with one door in Pakistan and another in Afghanistan.

Pakistani forces on Sunday elevated their rhetoric when they said they had also killed &quot;more than 50 soldiers&quot; in last week`s border clashes -- a claim quickly rejected by Kabul, which said it lost two troops.

(AFP)

The dispute led to deadly clashes last week

Pakistan and Afghanistan plan on using Google Maps to help resolve a border dispute that led to deadly clashes last week, a senior Pakistani security source said Monday. At least eight civilians were killed on both sides in fighting that began when a Pakistani census team accompanied by soldiers visited disputed villages along the southern border on Friday. Pakistan inherited its 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) border with its western neighbour when it gained independence from the British Empire in 1947, but Afghanistan has never formally recognised the frontier. And while official Afghan maps reflect the so-called 'Durand Line', many nationalists believe the true border of their country ends at the River Indus that runs through Pakistan and gave India its name. A senior Pakistani security source in Islamabad who requested anonymity said: "Officials from the geological survey departments of the two countries will conduct a survey, and they will also make use of Google Maps." A second official in Quetta confirmed the sides had agreed to a survey. Internet firm Google complies with local laws in certain countries that compel it to show borders in line with national demands -- for instance, its Indian site shows the entirety of disputed Kashmir as being controlled by India. In Pakistan, however, the site shows the internationally-recognised de facto border, the Line of Control, marked with a dotted line to denote it is disputed. Attempts by Pakistan to harden the traditionally soft border with Afghanistan through trenching and fencing that began in 2016 have been met with hostility by Kabul. Ethnic Pashtuns living in the region have traditionally paid it little heed, with villages straddling the frontier that have mosques and houses with one door in Pakistan and another in Afghanistan. Pakistani forces on Sunday elevated their rhetoric when they said they had also killed "more than 50 soldiers" in last week`s border clashes -- a claim quickly rejected by Kabul, which said it lost two troops. (AFP)

How will Afghanistan, Pak resolve border dispute? Google Maps

The head of the Iranian armed forces warned Islamabad today that Tehran would hit bases inside Pakistan if the government does not confront Sunni militants who carry out cross-border attacks.

Ten Iranian border guards were killed by militants last month. Iran said Jaish al Adl, a Sunni militant group, had shot the guards with long-range guns, fired from inside Pakistan.

The border area has long been plagued by unrest from both drug smuggling gangs and separatist militants.

&quot;We cannot accept the continuation of this situation,&quot; Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the head of the Iranian armed forces was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

&quot;We expect the Pakistani officials to control the borders, arrest the terrorists and shut down their bases.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;If the terrorist attacks continue, we will hit their safe havens and cells, wherever they are,&quot; he said.

Iran&#39;s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Pakistan last week and asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to improve the border security. Pakistan assured Iran it would deploy additional troops along its border.

In 2014 Iran warned it would send troops to Pakistan to retrieve five Iranian border guards kidnapped by Jaish al Adl. Pakistan said at the time that such action would be violation of the international law and warned Iranian forces not to cross the border.

Iran refrained from sending the troops when a local Sunni cleric stepped in and resolved the situation.

Four of the guards were released a few months later, but one was killed by the militants.

Jaish al Adl is a Sunni militant group that has carried out several attacks against Iranian security forces with the aim of highlighting what they say is discrimination against minority Sunni Muslims in Iran, where the majority are Shi&#39;ites.

The group claimed responsibility for attacks that killed eight border guards in April 2015 and 14 border guards in October 2013.

(Reuters)

The border area has long been plagued by unrest from both drug smuggling gangs and separatist militants.

The head of the Iranian armed forces warned Islamabad today that Tehran would hit bases inside Pakistan if the government does not confront Sunni militants who carry out cross-border attacks. Ten Iranian border guards were killed by militants last month. Iran said Jaish al Adl, a Sunni militant group, had shot the guards with long-range guns, fired from inside Pakistan. The border area has long been plagued by unrest from both drug smuggling gangs and separatist militants. "We cannot accept the continuation of this situation," Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the head of the Iranian armed forces was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. "We expect the Pakistani officials to control the borders, arrest the terrorists and shut down their bases." "If the terrorist attacks continue, we will hit their safe havens and cells, wherever they are," he said. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Pakistan last week and asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to improve the border security. Pakistan assured Iran it would deploy additional troops along its border. In 2014 Iran warned it would send troops to Pakistan to retrieve five Iranian border guards kidnapped by Jaish al Adl. Pakistan said at the time that such action would be violation of the international law and warned Iranian forces not to cross the border. Iran refrained from sending the troops when a local Sunni cleric stepped in and resolved the situation. Four of the guards were released a few months later, but one was killed by the militants. Jaish al Adl is a Sunni militant group that has carried out several attacks against Iranian security forces with the aim of highlighting what they say is discrimination against minority Sunni Muslims in Iran, where the majority are Shi'ites. The group claimed responsibility for attacks that killed eight border guards in April 2015 and 14 border guards in October 2013. (Reuters)

Ready to hit militant base inside Pakistan: Iran Army

An Indian woman married to a Pakistani man has&nbsp;reportedly&nbsp;asked the Indian high commission to send her to India after finding out that her husband is already married and has four children, according to a report in Dawn.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that &quot;the Indian High Commission informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that an Indian national, Ms Uzma, 20, had approached them with the request to be repatriated to India.&quot;

&quot;According to the Indian High Commission, she claimed to have married Mr Tahir and alleged that she later came to know that Mr Tahir was already married and had four children,&quot; Zakaria said.&nbsp;

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An Indian woman named Uzma, married to a Pak national has sought help at the high commission to return home. She has now filed a case in a local court against her husband who allegedly cheated and threatened her (WION)
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Uzma, an Indian national, reportedly, met Ali, who is from Pakistan, in Malaysia where the latter was working as a taxi driver eight months ago.

The two had a court marriage on May 3, two days after Uzma arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah border.

Uzma&#39;s brother asked her to come to India for her honeymoon, the Dawn report said.&nbsp;

Her brother had asked Uzma to ask for Adnan at the Indian high commission who will sort out the visa issue.

Ali alleged that they both went to the Indian High commission to submit their visa application forms.

&quot;At the Indian embassy window, she asked about Adnan. A while later, a man came out and took her inside through gate number six. I waited and waited, and then at 7 pm, I asked at the embassy gate if my wife Uzma was inside. They told me no one was inside,&quot; Dawn quoted Ali, as saying.

After that, he filed a complaint with the police.

The Dawn report claimed that the Indian high commission confirmed that the woman is present in the building and would be allowed to leave only after the matter is discussed with the Pakistan Foreign Office.

Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office later said that it was in touch with the Indian high commission and that the issue would be resolved soon.

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

"According to the Indian High Commission, she claimed to have married Mr Tahir and alleged that she later came to know that Mr Tahir was already married and had four children," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said

An Indian woman married to a Pakistani man has reportedly asked the Indian high commission to send her to India after finding out that her husband is already married and has four children, according to a report in Dawn. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that "the Indian High Commission informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that an Indian national, Ms Uzma, 20, had approached them with the request to be repatriated to India." "According to the Indian High Commission, she claimed to have married Mr Tahir and alleged that she later came to know that Mr Tahir was already married and had four children," Zakaria said. An Indian woman named Uzma, married to a Pak national has sought help at the high commission to return home. She has now filed a case in a local court against her husband who allegedly cheated and threatened her (WION) × Uzma, an Indian national, reportedly, met Ali, who is from Pakistan, in Malaysia where the latter was working as a taxi driver eight months ago. The two had a court marriage on May 3, two days after Uzma arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah border. Uzma's brother asked her to come to India for her honeymoon, the Dawn report said. Her brother had asked Uzma to ask for Adnan at the Indian high commission who will sort out the visa issue. Ali alleged that they both went to the Indian High commission to submit their visa application forms. "At the Indian embassy window, she asked about Adnan. A while later, a man came out and took her inside through gate number six. I waited and waited, and then at 7 pm, I asked at the embassy gate if my wife Uzma was inside. They told me no one was inside," Dawn quoted Ali, as saying. After that, he filed a complaint with the police. The Dawn report claimed that the Indian high commission confirmed that the woman is present in the building and would be allowed to leave only after the matter is discussed with the Pakistan Foreign Office. Pakistan's Foreign Office later said that it was in touch with the Indian high commission and that the issue would be resolved soon. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistani man accuses Indian high commission of detaining wife, India says she sought help

Pakistan said today that the Indian High Commission has informed it that an Indian woman approached them with a request for repatriation to India, even as a Pakistani man with whom she was married to alleged that his wife had been detained by the mission.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that &quot;the Indian High Commission informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that an Indian national, Ms Uzma, 20, had approached them with the request to be repatriated to India.&quot;

&quot;According to the Indian High Commission, she claimed to have married Mr Tahir and alleged that she later came to know that Mr Tahir was already married and had four children,&quot; Zakaria said.

Zakaria&#39;s remarks came following the Pakistani man&#39;s allegations that the Indian High Commission detained his newly-wed Indian wife when they went there to apply for his visa.

The government sources in New Delhi, however, said the Indian woman sought help of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on May 5.

The High Commission is providing necessary consular assistance to her and is in touch with the Pakistan Foreign Office on the matter and the girl&#39;s family in India, they said.

Uzma, from New Delhi, and the Pakistani man, Tahir, reportedly met in Malaysia and fell in love after which she travelled to Pakistan on May 1 via the Wagah border. The two contracted nikkah (marriage) on May 3.

According to Tahir, they visited the High Commission building and submitted visa forms as well as their phones to the officials. Uzma then went inside on being called by the officials while he stayed back, her husband said.

When his wife did not return after several hours, Tahir enquired about her from officials, who claimed she was not there. Tahir alleged that the officials also refused to give their three mobile phones back to him.

Tahir said he has filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the Secretariat Police Station.

Earlier, reports had quoted Zakaria as saying that Uzma was &quot;stranded&quot; inside the Indian mission&#39;s building.

(PTI)

Uzma, from New Delhi, and the Pakistani man, Tahir, reportedly met in Malaysia and fell in love after which she travelled to Pakistan on May 1 via the Wagah border. The two got married on May 3.

Pakistan said today that the Indian High Commission has informed it that an Indian woman approached them with a request for repatriation to India, even as a Pakistani man with whom she was married to alleged that his wife had been detained by the mission. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that "the Indian High Commission informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that an Indian national, Ms Uzma, 20, had approached them with the request to be repatriated to India." "According to the Indian High Commission, she claimed to have married Mr Tahir and alleged that she later came to know that Mr Tahir was already married and had four children," Zakaria said. Zakaria's remarks came following the Pakistani man's allegations that the Indian High Commission detained his newly-wed Indian wife when they went there to apply for his visa. The government sources in New Delhi, however, said the Indian woman sought help of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on May 5. The High Commission is providing necessary consular assistance to her and is in touch with the Pakistan Foreign Office on the matter and the girl's family in India, they said. Uzma, from New Delhi, and the Pakistani man, Tahir, reportedly met in Malaysia and fell in love after which she travelled to Pakistan on May 1 via the Wagah border. The two contracted nikkah (marriage) on May 3. According to Tahir, they visited the High Commission building and submitted visa forms as well as their phones to the officials. Uzma then went inside on being called by the officials while he stayed back, her husband said. When his wife did not return after several hours, Tahir enquired about her from officials, who claimed she was not there. Tahir alleged that the officials also refused to give their three mobile phones back to him. Tahir said he has filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the Secretariat Police Station. Earlier, reports had quoted Zakaria as saying that Uzma was "stranded" inside the Indian mission's building. (PTI)

Pakistan man accuses Indian High Commission of detaining wife, India says she sought help

Pakistan has summoned the Indian envoy in Islamabad over non-issuance of medical visas to Pakistani nationals seeking treatment in India, Pakistani media reports said today.

According to Geo News, thousands of Pakistanis seeking treatment for liver and heart-related ailments at major hospitals in New Delhi, Chennai and other Indian cities have been affected due to non-issuance of medical visas.

&quot;India has made it impossible for Pakistanis to get medical visas,&quot; an official was quoted as saying by the channel.

Pakistan summoned Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad Gautam Bambawale and expressed concern over the issue, it said.

However, there was no official confirmation.

Dunya TV also reported that &quot;India is making several changes in the rules to make the visa process more complicated while no visa has been granted to any Pakistani citizen during the last two months.&quot;

&quot;Islamabad has expressed reservation over the move that will affect thousands of Pakistanis travelling to India for health reasons,&quot; it reported.

India has decided to put all bilateral engagements with Pakistan on hold after Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court on spying charges.

Tensions have escalated between the two nations after two Indian security force personnel were killed and mutilated in what India says was an unprovoked firing by Pakistan on May 1 in the state of Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir.

Last week, India summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and demanded action against Pakistani soldiers and commanders responsible for the beheading of the two security force personnel.

(PTI)

&nbsp;

Tensions have escalated between the two nations after two Indian security force personnel were killed and mutilated in what India says was an unprovoked firing by Pakistan on May 1 in the state of Jammu and?Kashmir.

Pakistan has summoned the Indian envoy in Islamabad over non-issuance of medical visas to Pakistani nationals seeking treatment in India, Pakistani media reports said today. According to Geo News, thousands of Pakistanis seeking treatment for liver and heart-related ailments at major hospitals in New Delhi, Chennai and other Indian cities have been affected due to non-issuance of medical visas. "India has made it impossible for Pakistanis to get medical visas," an official was quoted as saying by the channel. Pakistan summoned Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad Gautam Bambawale and expressed concern over the issue, it said. However, there was no official confirmation. Dunya TV also reported that "India is making several changes in the rules to make the visa process more complicated while no visa has been granted to any Pakistani citizen during the last two months." "Islamabad has expressed reservation over the move that will affect thousands of Pakistanis travelling to India for health reasons," it reported. India has decided to put all bilateral engagements with Pakistan on hold after Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court on spying charges. Tensions have escalated between the two nations after two Indian security force personnel were killed and mutilated in what India says was an unprovoked firing by Pakistan on May 1 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Last week, India summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and demanded action against Pakistani soldiers and commanders responsible for the beheading of the two security force personnel. (PTI)

Pakistan summons Indian envoy over non-issuance of medical visas

India today summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and demanded strong action against the Pakistan Army personnel responsible for the mutilation of two Indian&nbsp;soldiers at Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Basit was called in by foreign secretary S Jaishankar to convey India&#39;s strong views on the incident, the external affairs ministry said.

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The Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen A K Bhatt, on Tuesday, conveyed to his&nbsp;Pakistani counterpart that such a dastardly&nbsp;and inhuman act&nbsp;merits&nbsp;unequivocal condemnation and response.

The Pakistan Army, on Monday, had denied India&#39;s charges that it&nbsp;mutilated the bodies of Indian soldiers.

&quot;Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on&nbsp;<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/loc.html">LOC</a>&nbsp;or a BAT action in Buttal sector (Indian Krishna Ghati Sector) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers&#39; bodies is also false,&quot; the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said in a statement.

A statement from India&#39;s foreign ministry said, &quot;Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the Line of Control.&quot;&nbsp;

Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh and BSF Head Constable Prem Singh were slain by Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) by sneaking 250 metres into Indian territory in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir on May 1.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The Indian DGMO Lt Gen A K Bhatt has conveyed to his Pakistan counterpart that such a dastardly and inhuman act was beyond any norms of civility

India today summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and demanded strong action against the Pakistan Army personnel responsible for the mutilation of two Indian soldiers at Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Basit was called in by foreign secretary S Jaishankar to convey India's strong views on the incident, the external affairs ministry said. Foreign Secretary summons Pak HC, conveys India's outrage, demands action against Pak soldiers and commanders responsible pic.twitter.com/lKaRzIlhKb — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) May 3, 2017 × Delhi: Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit reaches MEA pic.twitter.com/Ca9UK85Bp3 — ANI (@ANI_news) May 3, 2017 × The Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen A K Bhatt, on Tuesday, conveyed to his Pakistani counterpart that such a dastardly and inhuman act merits unequivocal condemnation and response. The Pakistan Army, on Monday, had denied India's charges that it mutilated the bodies of Indian soldiers. "Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on LOC or a BAT action in Buttal sector (Indian Krishna Ghati Sector) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers' bodies is also false," the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said in a statement. A statement from India's foreign ministry said, "Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the Line of Control." Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh and BSF Head Constable Prem Singh were slain by Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) by sneaking 250 metres into Indian territory in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir on May 1. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pak envoy Basit summoned: India demands action against those who mutilated bodies of soldiers

Iran&#39;s foreign ministry has summoned Pakistan&#39;s ambassador in Tehran to protest against the killing of nine Iranian border guards by Sunni militants attacking from neighbouring Pakistan, Iran&#39;s state news agency IRNA reported on Friday.

The Sunni Muslim militant group called Jaish al Adl, or the Army of Justice, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday in Iran&#39;s Sistan-Baluchestan Province.

&quot;Iran expects Pakistan to take serious and essential measures to arrest and punish those terrorists responsible for the killing of our nine guards,&quot; IRNA quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying.

&quot;The message was delivered to Ambassador Asif Ali Khan Durrani on Friday,&quot; he said.

Iran&#39;s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, whose majority population is Sunni Muslim Baluch people like those across the border in Pakistan&#39;s Baluchistan province, lies on a major transit route for drug smugglers. It has long been plagued by unrest both from them and from separatist militants.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also called on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to prosecute the militants who had killed the Iranian border guards.

&quot;Regrettably, a lack of appropriate measures and necessary prosecution on the part of the Pakistani government have caused great loss of lives and property for Iran,&quot; Rouhani said in a statement, quoted by the semi-official Mehr news agency.

&quot;We expect those responsible for this terrorist attack to be arrested and prosecuted,&quot; President Hassan Rouhani said in a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

(Reuters &amp; AFP)

Sunni Muslim militant group called Jaish al Adl, or the Army of Justice, has claimed responsibility for the attack

Iran's foreign ministry has summoned Pakistan's ambassador in Tehran to protest against the killing of nine Iranian border guards by Sunni militants attacking from neighbouring Pakistan, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on Friday. The Sunni Muslim militant group called Jaish al Adl, or the Army of Justice, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan Province. "Iran expects Pakistan to take serious and essential measures to arrest and punish those terrorists responsible for the killing of our nine guards," IRNA quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying. "The message was delivered to Ambassador Asif Ali Khan Durrani on Friday," he said. Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, whose majority population is Sunni Muslim Baluch people like those across the border in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, lies on a major transit route for drug smugglers. It has long been plagued by unrest both from them and from separatist militants. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also called on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to prosecute the militants who had killed the Iranian border guards. "Regrettably, a lack of appropriate measures and necessary prosecution on the part of the Pakistani government have caused great loss of lives and property for Iran," Rouhani said in a statement, quoted by the semi-official Mehr news agency. "We expect those responsible for this terrorist attack to be arrested and prosecuted," President Hassan Rouhani said in a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. (Reuters & AFP)

Iran summons Pakistan envoy over border guards killings

Following Pakistan&#39;s denial of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, defence experts have expressed strong feeling towards the possibility of the execution of the former Indian naval officer, adding that Pakistan does not honour its commitments towards international obligations.

Defence experts PK Sehgal and Qamar Agha, both opined that the denial hints towards that Kulbhushan has already been tortured to an extent that either he is already dead or no longer in a condition that he can be presented in front of the Indian consulate.

&quot;It was the 16th time that India formally requested for consular access and visas to Kulbhushan&#39;s parents. It is quite clear that Pakistan does not believe in friendly relations, international norms. Pakistan is trying to hide these atrocities committed on him through this denial. It ought to be condemned across the world,&quot; Sehgal told ANI.

Agha said Pakistan would hang Jadhav as soon as possible so that all the things are buried with him.

&quot;They have been denying right from the beginning. They must have tortured him to an extent that they don&#39;t want to show anybody his condition. This behaviour by the Pakistan Government is not civilized. Pakistan is one country that doesn&#39;t honour its commitments towards international obligations. We should build up more pressure on Pakistan to see that at least consular access is provided to us,&quot; he told ANI.

The Defence experts&#39; sharp comments came after Pakistan denied India consular access to Jadhav yesterday.

Jadhav has been awarded a death sentence by Islamabad military court for alleged espionage activities.

This is the 16th time that India has demanded consular access.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua categorically expressed her views to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale, during a meeting in Islamabad, reports Radio Pakistan.

During the meeting, Bambawale also handed over a petition by Jadhav&#39;s mother to the Pakistan Government for his release and expressed a desire to meet him.

&quot;Pakistan was also requested to facilitate visas for Jadhav&#39;s mother and father. They wish to travel to Pakistan to meet him and also to personally file the petition and appeal. They have applied for necessary visas with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,&quot; India&#39;s External Affairs Ministry release stated.

This comes two days after India&#39;s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and made similar demands.

The Pakistan Army had earlier ruled out consular access to Jadhav, saying he is not eligible for it as per the laws.

&quot;Kulbhushan is not eligible for consular access nor will be granted consular access,&quot; said Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor.

He alleged that Jadhav, caught on anti-state activities, was tried under court martial.

&quot;This was purely an act by the Army to which the Army as an institution said we will not compromise on his sentence,&quot; he said.

Major General Ghafoor said Jadhav&#39;s death sentence process will move ahead as per the law, adding it will go in the appellate court and the army shall wait for the verdict.

Jadhav was arrested in March last year in the restive Balochistan province and accused of being a Research and Analysis Wing (R&amp;AW) agent.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Defence experts PK Sehgal and Qamar Agha, both opined that the denial hints towards that Kulbhushan has already been tortured to an extent that either he is already dead or no longer in a condition that he can be presented in front of the Indian consulate

Following Pakistan's denial of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, defence experts have expressed strong feeling towards the possibility of the execution of the former Indian naval officer, adding that Pakistan does not honour its commitments towards international obligations. Defence experts PK Sehgal and Qamar Agha, both opined that the denial hints towards that Kulbhushan has already been tortured to an extent that either he is already dead or no longer in a condition that he can be presented in front of the Indian consulate. "It was the 16th time that India formally requested for consular access and visas to Kulbhushan's parents. It is quite clear that Pakistan does not believe in friendly relations, international norms. Pakistan is trying to hide these atrocities committed on him through this denial. It ought to be condemned across the world," Sehgal told ANI. Agha said Pakistan would hang Jadhav as soon as possible so that all the things are buried with him. "They have been denying right from the beginning. They must have tortured him to an extent that they don't want to show anybody his condition. This behaviour by the Pakistan Government is not civilized. Pakistan is one country that doesn't honour its commitments towards international obligations. We should build up more pressure on Pakistan to see that at least consular access is provided to us," he told ANI. The Defence experts' sharp comments came after Pakistan denied India consular access to Jadhav yesterday. Jadhav has been awarded a death sentence by Islamabad military court for alleged espionage activities. This is the 16th time that India has demanded consular access. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua categorically expressed her views to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale, during a meeting in Islamabad, reports Radio Pakistan. During the meeting, Bambawale also handed over a petition by Jadhav's mother to the Pakistan Government for his release and expressed a desire to meet him. "Pakistan was also requested to facilitate visas for Jadhav's mother and father. They wish to travel to Pakistan to meet him and also to personally file the petition and appeal. They have applied for necessary visas with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi," India's External Affairs Ministry release stated. This comes two days after India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and made similar demands. The Pakistan Army had earlier ruled out consular access to Jadhav, saying he is not eligible for it as per the laws. "Kulbhushan is not eligible for consular access nor will be granted consular access," said Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor. He alleged that Jadhav, caught on anti-state activities, was tried under court martial. "This was purely an act by the Army to which the Army as an institution said we will not compromise on his sentence," he said. Major General Ghafoor said Jadhav's death sentence process will move ahead as per the law, adding it will go in the appellate court and the army shall wait for the verdict. Jadhav was arrested in March last year in the restive Balochistan province and accused of being a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent. (ANI)

Denial of consular access hints at Kulbhushan Jadhav having already been executed: Defence experts

Model-actress Bruna Abdullah is in news for doing a topless photo shoot.&nbsp;

On April 24th, the actress shared a picture on Instagram from the sizzling shoot in which she quotes a Meredith brooks song: &nbsp;&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a bitch, I&rsquo;m a lover. I&rsquo;m a child, I&rsquo;m a mother. I&rsquo;m a sinner, I&rsquo;m a saint. I do not feel ashamed. I&rsquo;m your hell, I&rsquo;m your dream. I&rsquo;m nothing in between. You know you wouldn&rsquo;t want it any other way&rdquo; #90s Meredith Brooks!!&rdquo;

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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<h3>Here are some other pictures from her Instagram account that have become a talking point on social media:&nbsp;</h3>

&nbsp;

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In one she can be seen spending quality time with her longtime boyfriend while in another she dons a bikini while on a vacation.&nbsp;

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<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allowtransparency="true" class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" frameborder="0" height="567" id="instagram-embed-6" scrolling="no" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR_HFy-AC3I/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=7#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A15997.430000000002%7D" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 1px 1px 12px; max-width: 658px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 4px; box-shadow: none; display: block; padding: 0px;"></iframe><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
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The pictures have been shot by celebrity photographer Rahul Jhangiani who is famous for his taste and aesthetics.&nbsp;

Bruna, apart from featuring in films, also appeared in several reality television shows. She was part of Indian dance reality show, Nach Baliye season 6, with her ex-boyfriend Omar Farooque. She was seen in another show Khatron Ke Khiladi, a show meant for adventure lovers.&nbsp;

(WION)

Model-actress Bruna Abdullah is in news for doing a topless photo shoot. On April 24th, the actress shared a picture on Instagram from the sizzling shoot in which she quotes a Meredith brooks song: “I’m a bitch, I’m a lover. I’m a child, I’m a mother. I’m a sinner, I’m a saint. I do not feel ashamed. I’m your hell, I’m your dream. I’m nothing in between. You know you wouldn’t want it any other way” #90s Meredith Brooks!!” × Here are some other pictures from her Instagram account that have become a talking point on social media: × In one she can be seen spending quality time with her longtime boyfriend while in another she dons a bikini while on a vacation. × × The pictures have been shot by celebrity photographer Rahul Jhangiani who is famous for his taste and aesthetics. Bruna, apart from featuring in films, also appeared in several reality television shows. She was part of Indian dance reality show, Nach Baliye season 6, with her ex-boyfriend Omar Farooque. She was seen in another show Khatron Ke Khiladi, a show meant for adventure lovers. (WION)

Model Bruna Abdullah goes topless

In a gruesome incident, a 15-year-old boy&#39;s sexual organ was chopped off and eyes pricked by the family members of a girl who suspected him of having a relationship with her in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province.

The boy, a class nine student, was robbed of his sight for the rest of his life but doctors managed to save his life.

The incident came to light yesterday after the boy&#39;s family protested against the girl&#39;s family members in Raiwind area of Lahore city and demanded action against them.

The boy was kidnapped by the girl&#39;s father and his accomplices on suspicion of having an illicit relationship with his daughter in the last week of February, according to the FIR lodged by the boy&#39;s family.

The accused after &quot;kidnapping&quot; the boy from his school took him to a deserted place near Ravi river and chopped off his sexual organ, pricked his eyes in revenge and fled.

The boy was spotted by passersby and taken to a hospital in the city where doctors saved his life.

His father has alleged that a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is backing the accused.

The boy&#39;s father has urged Pakistan&#39;s Chief Justice to intervene in the matter.

Lahore senior police officer Haider Ashraf said all the five accused have been arrested. &quot;We will submit the challan of the case after completing investigation,&quot; he said.

(PTI)

The accused after 'kidnapping' the boy from his school took him to a deserted place near Ravi river and chopped off his sexual organ

In a gruesome incident, a 15-year-old boy's sexual organ was chopped off and eyes pricked by the family members of a girl who suspected him of having a relationship with her in Pakistan's Punjab province. The boy, a class nine student, was robbed of his sight for the rest of his life but doctors managed to save his life. The incident came to light yesterday after the boy's family protested against the girl's family members in Raiwind area of Lahore city and demanded action against them. The boy was kidnapped by the girl's father and his accomplices on suspicion of having an illicit relationship with his daughter in the last week of February, according to the FIR lodged by the boy's family. The accused after "kidnapping" the boy from his school took him to a deserted place near Ravi river and chopped off his sexual organ, pricked his eyes in revenge and fled. The boy was spotted by passersby and taken to a hospital in the city where doctors saved his life. His father has alleged that a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is backing the accused. The boy's father has urged Pakistan's Chief Justice to intervene in the matter. Lahore senior police officer Haider Ashraf said all the five accused have been arrested. "We will submit the challan of the case after completing investigation," he said. (PTI)

Pakistan: 15-year-old boy's penis chopped off, eyes pricked for alleged relationship with girl

India today decided not to release about a dozen Pakistani prisoners, who were to be repatriated on Wednesday, hours after Pakistani army chief approved the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for alleged &quot;espionage and sabotage&quot; activities.

The government feels that it is not the right time for the release of Pakistani prisoners, official sources said here.

The prisoners were to be released as part of the practice by India and Pakistan to repatriate nationals lodged in each other&#39;s jail after they complete their sentence.

The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) found him guilty of &quot;all the charges&quot;, said the military&#39;s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Rawalpindi.

Angered by the development, India today said it will regard as &quot;premeditated murder&quot; if Pakistan carries out the death sentence &quot;without observing basic norms of law and justice&quot;.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and issued a strongly-worded demarche.

(PTI)

The government feels that it is not the right time for the release of Pakistani prisoners, official sources said here

India today decided not to release about a dozen Pakistani prisoners, who were to be repatriated on Wednesday, hours after Pakistani army chief approved the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for alleged "espionage and sabotage" activities. The government feels that it is not the right time for the release of Pakistani prisoners, official sources said here. The prisoners were to be released as part of the practice by India and Pakistan to repatriate nationals lodged in each other's jail after they complete their sentence. The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) found him guilty of "all the charges", said the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Rawalpindi. Angered by the development, India today said it will regard as "premeditated murder" if Pakistan carries out the death sentence "without observing basic norms of law and justice". Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and issued a strongly-worded demarche. (PTI)

India won't release Pakistani prisoners after Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence

Four militants were killed on Monday as the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid in Keran sector in Kupwara district of the Indian state of Jammu adn Kashmir.&nbsp;

A defence spokesman told PTI that a group of militants tried to infiltrate from across the Line of Control (LoC),&nbsp;the military control line between India and Pakistan,&nbsp;in the Keran sector but the troops foiled their bid.

They were killed in&nbsp;the subsequent exchange of fire.

Search operations are still&nbsp;on in the area.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Four militants were killed on Monday as the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid in Keran sector in Kupwara district of the Indian state of Jammu adn Kashmir. A defence spokesman told PTI that a group of militants tried to infiltrate from across the Line of Control (LoC), the military control line between India and Pakistan, in the Keran sector but the troops foiled their bid. They were killed in the subsequent exchange of fire. Search operations are still on in the area. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: Four militants killed during infiltration bid in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara

Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistan on allegations of spying, has been awarded death sentence by a military court, Pak media reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military&#39;s media wing.

He was sentenced to death for &quot;his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan&quot;, the military said.

&quot;The spy has been tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act and awarded death sentence,&quot; the military&#39;s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence, the statement added.

Even as the news spread, the Ministery of External Affairs(MEA) in India summoned Abdul Basit, the Pakistan High Commissioner &amp; issued a demarche saying proceedings that led to the sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav were &quot;farcical&quot;.

&quot;If basic norms of law and justice are not observed then the government and people of India will regard it as premeditated murder,&quot; MEA said in the demarche.

&quot;It is significant that our High Commission was not even informed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was being brought to trial,&quot; the statement added.

Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was &quot;a serving officer in the Indian Navy&quot;.

The Pakistan Army had also released a &quot;confessional video&quot; of Jadhav.&nbsp;India had demanded Consular access to Jadhav, but Pakistan repeatedly denied it.&nbsp;The ISPR statement, however, said Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was &quot;provided with defending officer as per legal provisions&quot;.

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Demarche issued by MEA to Pakistan High Commissioner today. Pl see press release at <a href="https://t.co/K55zof27it">https://t.co/K55zof27it</a> <a href="https://t.co/PLZCv5B3gD">pic.twitter.com/PLZCv5B3gD</a>
&mdash; Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/851399663638921217">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Jadhav reportedly entered Pakistan&#39;s Balochistan from Iran. He was arrested by Pakistan security officials on March 3 last year on allegations of planning subversive activities in the country.

India has acknowledged that he was a retired Indian Navy officer but refuted the allegations that he is connected to the government in any way.

&nbsp;

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Indian R&amp;AW agent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kalbushan?src=hash">#Kalbushan</a> awarded death sentence through FGCM by Pakistan Army for espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/ltRPbfO30V">pic.twitter.com/ltRPbfO30V</a>
&mdash; Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/851365691898724352">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In 2013, an Indian national, Sarabjit, was brutally killed by fellow inmates&nbsp;in Lahore&#39;s Kot Lakhpat jail. He was sentenced to death in 1991&nbsp;for his alleged involvement in a string of bombings in Pakistan.&nbsp;

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Anything is possible in Pak, after all they&#39;ve hanged one of their Prime Ministers in past: AS Dulat, former RAW Chief on Kulbhushan Jadhav <a href="https://t.co/vtZuALDeKs">pic.twitter.com/vtZuALDeKs</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/851404178266230785">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Pakistan claims Jadhav was arrested from the restive Balochistan province in March last year after he reportedly entered from Iran

Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistan on allegations of spying, has been awarded death sentence by a military court, Pak media reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing. He was sentenced to death for "his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan", the military said. "The spy has been tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act and awarded death sentence," the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence, the statement added. Even as the news spread, the Ministery of External Affairs(MEA) in India summoned Abdul Basit, the Pakistan High Commissioner & issued a demarche saying proceedings that led to the sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav were "farcical". "If basic norms of law and justice are not observed then the government and people of India will regard it as premeditated murder," MEA said in the demarche. "It is significant that our High Commission was not even informed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was being brought to trial," the statement added. Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was "a serving officer in the Indian Navy". The Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav. India had demanded Consular access to Jadhav, but Pakistan repeatedly denied it. The ISPR statement, however, said Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was "provided with defending officer as per legal provisions". Demarche issued by MEA to Pakistan High Commissioner today. Pl see press release at https://t.co/K55zof27it pic.twitter.com/PLZCv5B3gD — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) April 10, 2017 × Jadhav reportedly entered Pakistan's Balochistan from Iran. He was arrested by Pakistan security officials on March 3 last year on allegations of planning subversive activities in the country. India has acknowledged that he was a retired Indian Navy officer but refuted the allegations that he is connected to the government in any way. Indian R&AW agent #Kalbushan awarded death sentence through FGCM by Pakistan Army for espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/ltRPbfO30V — Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) April 10, 2017 × In 2013, an Indian national, Sarabjit, was brutally killed by fellow inmates in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail. He was sentenced to death in 1991 for his alleged involvement in a string of bombings in Pakistan. Anything is possible in Pak, after all they've hanged one of their Prime Ministers in past: AS Dulat, former RAW Chief on Kulbhushan Jadhav pic.twitter.com/vtZuALDeKs — ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2017 × (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan military court sentences 'spy' Kulbhushan Jadhav to death, India calls it a 'farce'

Pakistan has welcomed the US offer to help de-escalate tensions with India, saying &quot;any positive role&quot; America plays to bring peace and stability in South Asia can serve the region well, according to a media report today.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan&#39;s envoy to Washington, termed US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley&#39;s remarks on Monday that the US would try and &quot;find its place&quot; in efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan as positive.

&quot;Any positive role that the US plays to bring peace and stability in South Asia can serve the region well,&quot; Chaudhry was quoted as saying in a report by Dawn from Washington.

Chaudhry said Pakistan is interested in such efforts because it &quot;wants good neighbourly relations with India&quot;.

Pakistan&#39;s support for a third-party mediation comes after India rejected yesterday any role for the US in Indo-Pak issues. India said its position for bilateral redressal of all India-Pakistan issues &quot;in an environment free of terror and violence hasn&#39;t changed&quot;.

Haley, a senior Indian-American member of the Trump Cabinet, made the remarks after the US assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of April.

She hinted that the Trump administration would participate in the talks aimed at resolving differences between India and Pakistan. It was the first time Haley, as a member of the Trump Cabinet, has addressed tensions between India and Pakistan.

A State Department spokesperson, when contacted by the newspaper, explained the US position on facilitating talks between the two countries.

&quot;We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation. We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions,&quot; the spokesperson said.

The US official also explained why Washington wanted to promote good Indo-Pak ties. &quot;The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region. Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation and increase energy supply,&quot; the official said.

The last sentence of the statement, however, stressed the stated US policy, which is close to India&#39;s stance on this issue, that all differences between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally.

&quot;We have and continue to encourage India and Pakistan to work together to resolve any differences,&quot; the US official said.

India has consistently ruled out third-party mediation, including by the United Nations or the US, and maintained that Kashmir was a bilateral issue. Pakistan, however, welcomes international mediation and regularly raises the Kashmir issue at various UN fora.

Yesterday, India&#39;s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay snubbed Haley for hinting that the US was ready to mediate. He asked the international community to instead persuade Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorist attacks.

(PTI)&nbsp;

The US had offered to try and de-escalate tensions between the two countries

Pakistan has welcomed the US offer to help de-escalate tensions with India, saying "any positive role" America plays to bring peace and stability in South Asia can serve the region well, according to a media report today. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan's envoy to Washington, termed US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley's remarks on Monday that the US would try and "find its place" in efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan as positive. "Any positive role that the US plays to bring peace and stability in South Asia can serve the region well," Chaudhry was quoted as saying in a report by Dawn from Washington. Chaudhry said Pakistan is interested in such efforts because it "wants good neighbourly relations with India". Pakistan's support for a third-party mediation comes after India rejected yesterday any role for the US in Indo-Pak issues. India said its position for bilateral redressal of all India-Pakistan issues "in an environment free of terror and violence hasn't changed". Haley, a senior Indian-American member of the Trump Cabinet, made the remarks after the US assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of April. She hinted that the Trump administration would participate in the talks aimed at resolving differences between India and Pakistan. It was the first time Haley, as a member of the Trump Cabinet, has addressed tensions between India and Pakistan. A State Department spokesperson, when contacted by the newspaper, explained the US position on facilitating talks between the two countries. "We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation. We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions," the spokesperson said. The US official also explained why Washington wanted to promote good Indo-Pak ties. "The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region. Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation and increase energy supply," the official said. The last sentence of the statement, however, stressed the stated US policy, which is close to India's stance on this issue, that all differences between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally. "We have and continue to encourage India and Pakistan to work together to resolve any differences," the US official said. India has consistently ruled out third-party mediation, including by the United Nations or the US, and maintained that Kashmir was a bilateral issue. Pakistan, however, welcomes international mediation and regularly raises the Kashmir issue at various UN fora. Yesterday, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay snubbed Haley for hinting that the US was ready to mediate. He asked the international community to instead persuade Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorist attacks. (PTI)

After India rejection, Pak welcomes US offer to mediate

Wickremesinghe speaks exclusively to WION on ties with India and China, terrorism, LTTE and more

As part of the World Is One Global Leadership series, WION’s senior international correspondent Padma Rao Sundarji speaks to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Read the full transcript below. PRS: Mr Prime Minister, thank you for talking to WION for our new World is One Global Leaders series.Sri Lanka's current coalition government came to power in 2015 promising to improve relations with closest neighbour India. They had plunged into a deep freeze under the previous government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. There have been a series of high-profile visits and symbolic gestures. but some core issues remain unresolved. Colombo's growing closeness to China, for instance, is seen as a "strategic threat". What is your government doing to reassure New Delhi? RW: We have always been friendly with China, but not at the expense of India. We are friendly with many countries but not at the expense of others. Our relationship with India is different from that with China. What you have to look at is our relationship vis-a-vis India and not get too worried about how we are doing with China, or the UK, or anyone else. As far as we are concerned, the Sri Lankan and Indian governments do understand what's happening and we are moving closely. So if there is some uneasiness, it is the Indian media that report from their point of view. There is nothing I can do about it. We have our good defence relationships, we have our economic relationships. we are looking at a number of projects. We are looking at how India can participate in Sri Lanka's effort to develop the Trincomalee harbour together with Japan. It's being planned out by (Singapore- based company) Surbana Jarong, which is also doing Amravati in India. We are both committed to seeing the success of the Bay of Bengal as an economic area - there's a lot of potential there in the next ten years. We are working with each other on an economic and technical cooperation agreement, one that will also lay the basis for a closer relationship between Sri Lanka and the economies of the five southern Indian states which should be at least worth 500 billion US dollars. And if we all work together, that can grow to nearly a trillion US dollars. On the security side, there is very close sharing of information. There are a lot of informal contacts between your ministers and our ministers, your officials and ours. I think this has been one of the good periods of the relationship between India and Sri Lanka. PRS: Your bilateral relationship with Beijing is your sovereign prerogative, of course. And yet, that relationship is skewered heavily in favour of China. You owe China 8 billion US dollars, i.e. a 12th of your overall overseas debt of over 60 billion dollars. Surely China's not offering you a mere hand of friendship? Surely it's more like an iron fist in a velvet glove? RW: I don't know why you are so worried about China. No one has offered us an iron fist, with or without a velvet glove. The bulk of the Chinese loans have been on infrastructure projects. When we were in the opposition, we argued whether some of those projects were the best options. But you have to remember that after the global financial crisis of 2007, China was one of the major players to assist a large number of countries with infrastructure development. It also helped the Chinese themselves. They send their work force out, they even send foodstuff. So I don't think you should take Sri Lanka as an exception. Many countries received assistance from China. Now there is the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in place. In fact and if at all, it is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) who really have a special friendship, not Sri Lanka and China. Some people feel that the BRICS are trying to dominate other developing economies.So there are various views. Sri Lanka doesn't cooperate with China or Brazil even on global economy. But yes, we have taken a large number of loans from China but also from others. To repay those commercial loans is a concern.Therefore, we are now inviting foreign investment to our country. PRS: In your southeastern port of Hambantota, you have offered Chinese companies equity in exchange for some of that debt, even land for a Free Trade Zone.The nearby Mattala airport, too, is being run by Chinese companies. In Colombo, you delayed the Port City Project to assure India. After all, 80 per cent of transshipments from India transit Colombo. But the Project has been recommenced and is firmly in China's hands. Surely China's 'String of Pearls' is beginning to choke Sri Lanka? RW: Mattala airport is run by the Sri Lanka Airports Authority (SLAA). But we thought we would call for anyone interested in running the airport jointly with the SLAA. Sri Lanka has been the hub of the Indian Ocean and even from time immemorial, Chinese ships have come to Sri Lanka on the Silk Route. Hambantota port was built with Chinese assistance. There is also an agreement that our former President Mahinda Rajapaksa initialed with a Chinese company to further develop and run operations there. All our government has done is to say that we are unable to pay the debts of the Hambantota port and will therefore be unable to proceed with it. Or, that we will have to offer it to anyone who is willing to take it up. We discussed this with the Chinese and finally persuaded their government for a debt-to-equity transfer. Some Chinese companies applied. We took the best and have got the Chinese to agree to go up to 1.5 billion US dollars to pay for their share of the Joint Venture (JV). We have 20 per cent for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). We could take that up to 40 per cent, even 45 per cent So if anyone else in Sri Lanka wants to invest in Hambantota, we will give them the freedom to do so. But it's a JV and the JV area of the land is leased out. It will come back to us when the lease is over.The military and security aspects of the Hambantota port are in the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy. Last week, your naval authorities and ours had a discussion on this matter. We have a large amount of land in Hambantota. And we have a port. But that port must have a load to carry. which means there must be industries.The land will be invested in and leased out to any industrial estate operator. The Chinese have indicated interest in taking some of the land themselves. But just outside that area, there is another very good block of land - closer to Galle than Hambantota It is fully developed. We want to work on that together with the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation.Then, there's more land in our north-western province. We are talking to Surbana Jarong on building an industrial estate there. Even Thais have come and looked at it. So Sri Lanka is like any other country! Industrial land is held by the government and any interested investor can lease it to run their industrial estate. We like it because that means bringing in investor to the country. Even India is discussing an industrial estate in Sri Lanka. PRS: Is that an open invitation also to India to invest in Hambantota? RW: Well, Indian ships can come to Hambantota, there is no problem at all. And we are already working with india. As I told you, we are developing Trincomalee port and we'd like India to participate and take a project or two there. We would also like Japan to do so. PRS: . Chinese military submarines have docked in Sri Lanka and caused annoyance to India. Mr Wickremesinghe, can you put on record through this interview to WION an assurance for India, that there will be no element of Chinese military presence in Sri Lanka's sovereign territory, at least during the remaining two years of your tenure in office ? RW: Chinese military submarines have been coming to Sri Lanka regularly. There is only one instance which became an issue. That was under former President Rajapaksa. Chinese submarines came here and the Indian government claimed - and I think - they were not informed. Actually, it was more troublesome for us because the Chinese submarines came just when Japan's prime minister was visiting Colombo! After we formed the government, we asked the Chinese why they sent them, considering they always followed protocol? They told us that they had indeed informed the government of Sri Lanka of the time. As far as China is concerned and just like any other country, their people will come to Sri Lanka and visit us at times agreed to by the Sri Lankan authorities and at times convenient to us. But there is no defence relationship with China. PRS: But of course Sri Lanka had a defence relationship with China, towards the end of the 30-year long civil war against the separatist terror group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). China provided a lot of military equipment and helped Sri Lanka defeat the Tigers. So are you really saying that there will continue to be occasional visits by the Chinese, but that the Indian government will be kept informed? RW: Actually, New Delhi is aware that there will be visits by the Chinese and other countries and that normal practices will be followed in all cases. PRS: In your address to a recent counter-terrorism conference, you said that the greatest "challenge" to the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) comes from "non-state-actors". Whom do you mean in Sri Lanka's case? RW: We had non-state actors. we had the LTTE's 'Sea Tigers.' Even the latest Australian defence studies say that non-state actors are going to be the biggest issue. It's already happening off the waters of Somalia. And it can keep increasing because the shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean are the most vital economic waterways of the world. PRS: But the "Sea Tigers" are a thing of the past... RW: Sure, but pirates are now using new technology. Look at the attack on the Saudi ship off the coast of Yemen. It was completely new technology. It was probably an automated boat run by robotics. So the Sea Tigers may have disappeared, but the Somali pirates are there. Piracy is becoming much easier. And the most vulnerable in this region are the high seas. PRS: Sri Lanka has 21.2 million Muslim citizens. After Hindus, they are your country's second largest minority. Your justice minister recently told your parliament that 31 "elite Muslims" from Sri Lanka have joined the Islamic State (IS). There is growing radicalization in the Maldives. And at least by the time Osama Bin Laden was located and killed in Pakistan, it should be clear to all that that country is the 'epicentre of terrorism". India, most of all, is a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. But Pakistan, too, is Sri Lanka's close ally and supplied weapons to help you defeat the LTTE. You met Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif recently. Surely you expressed your concern over that country hosting globally banned Islamist terror groups like the Lashkar-i-Tayyaba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)? RW: I met Mr Sharif only for a very short time on the periphery of a conference in Davos. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, the vast majority of our Muslims work together with other Sri Lankans. Yes, there were those who went to IS in Syria. Some have been killed. We have traced the others and are speaking to their families. we are speaking with their families. The latest message we are receiving from those men is that they are trapped and there is a lot of pressure on them as Iraqi, Syrian and other forces advance. PRS: The Indo-Sri Lanka accord of 1987 still seems relevant to New Delhi, at least on two counts. The first is on the promise of maximum autonomy for Sri Lankan Tamils in - and a merger of - your Northern and Eastern Provinces. The 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution to bring that about was co-authored by India. But your own Tamils say that very little progress has been made to implement that amendment, even by your government. Millions of Sinhalese Sri Lankans in the southern part of your country are staunchly opposed to it. Is this 30-year-old amendment now itself outdated and in need an amendment? RW: Not really. We have a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. At the moment, there is a steering committee, we are discussing devolution. But may I tell you, every provincial council in Sri Lanka wants more power. At the moment, the division seems to be more between Colombo's parliament and all our provincial councils! It's not just a Tamil-vs Sinhalese issue, it's a centre-vs periphery issue. But we have to be realistic as to what can be given so we are discussing it. We are a democratic country. PRS: But is New Delhi also being flexible about the 13th Amendment? RW: Yes, there has always been flexibility. We appreciate that. PRS: The other aspect of the Accord relevant to India is the right an appendix grants New Delhi to develop Trincomalee port and a free trade zone there. But you say you have already awarded that development to the Singapore-based company, Surbana Jarong. Further, there is discord over 31 oil tanks that were leased out to the Indian Oil Corporation through another bilateral agreement signed in 2003. You were PM then yourself. Now, your government is asking for them to be returned. RW: You are all behind times. Trincomalee port is a Sri Lankan port. And in the Indo-Sri Lanka accord, we said we would not do anything prejudicial to the security of India. Surbana Jarong are the town planners in Trincomalee, just like in your Amravati. In fact, AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and I have remarked on how good that company is. So, we can engage whomsoever we want, to plan Trincomalee and we happen to have engaged one that is also planning out in Andhra Pradesh. As far as the Indian Free Trade Zone is concerned, yes. We have said we welcome India. And once India's areas are allocated and they are ready, we would like to have a free trade zone. And maybe India - or some other country - could operate hotels there. Right now, it's a zone in planning - where are the industries going to be located, where the tourism belt, how we are going to dispose of waste, etc. We are also asking the Japanese to be a part of it. Indian Oil Corporation is currently looking at the feasibility of a refinery to be run jointly with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). We should then be able to also refine petroleum to sell to India and others. Once that decision is taken, we'll know about the oil tanks. But I think remaining issues on the oil tanks have been settled between the two governments. PRS: But Mr Wickremesinghe, you make it sound as though all were hunky-dory between India and Sri Lanka. The Free Trade Agreement, for one, is still stuck over a raft of issues. Primarily it is the fear in minds of Sri Lankans that India's millions will invade the island and take away all your jobs. And yet, that's exactly what seems to be happening through your relationship with China, the world's most populated country. Chinese already enjoy a sprawling presence all over your small island-nation. Sri Lankans working with Chinese companies say they are obliged to learn Chinese and even follow China's, not Sri Lanka's labor laws. Critics in your own country say there is a quasi-colonization of Sri Lanka by China underway. The irony is that China is not even culturally, linguistically, historically and religiously linked to Sri Lanka like India is..... RW: I don't think we have to bring China into all these things. There isn't a sprawling Chinese presence here either - there are more Indians. But certainly, Mode Four is not part of free trade agreements, either with India or with any other country. The usual negotiations are taking place with India. But also with China, Singapore. We just finished talks with the European Union (EU) and will enter the next round. PRS : The opposition faction under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is appalled at your government becoming a co-signatory to a US-sponsored resolution for investigation into alleged human rights violations by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces during the final stages of the civil war. There is widespread confusion among ordinary Sri Lankans on whether the international community will continue to insist - and Colombo will be pushed to relent - over involving foreigners in that investigation. How could Colombo possibly have joined hands with countries, many of whom have themselves sheltered and nurtured the separatist LTTE for several decades? RW: Yes, we co-sponsored resolution 30-10215 and have gained a longer reprieve for two further years to sort out issues. In that resolution, there is provision for us to use expertise from abroad - legal opinion, judges, etc. - wherever we think it necessary. But like in India, foreign judges cannot sit on a bench in Sri Lanka. And on policy matters and like all South Asian countries including India, Sri Lanka will not join the International Criminal Court in Rome. PRS: First, the encounter with an LTTE operative 'Gobi' and his men and the subsequent unearthing of caches of weapons in the Northern Province some years ago. And more recently, the plot to assassinate your moderate Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, Mr M A Sumanthiran. Is the LTTE on the rise in Sri Lanka again? Or and like you often accused your predecessor government of doing, are these merely 'engineered' rumours to justify the continued presence of the armed forces in the former war zones even eight years after the war ended? RW: The LTTE has been wiped out. There may be some small groups being used by others. And the numbers of the army in the North are being reduced gradually. PRS: Former LTTE rebel Karuna has founded a "Tamil Freedom Party" in Batticaloa, while another former Tiger has just started a 'Rehabilitated Liberation Tigers Party" in Trincomalee. After 30 years of a debilitating war against the separatist LTTE in which more than 120,000 people were killed, how can the election commission of sovereign and united Sri Lanka possibly register party names containing words like 'Tamil Freedom' and "Liberation Tigers' all over again? RW: That has been questioned by some people but finally it's up to the election commission. There are no words that are banned, as such. At one stage, the LTTE was a prohibited name though.... PRS: You have you have pointed out the strategic importance of Sri Lanka's location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) But many countries like Japan, India and the United States conduct routine joint naval exercises here. One just concluded in Hambantota. But all three countries I mention have territorial and other disputes with China, which is sprawling in the IOR and whose One-Belt-One-Road initiative Sri Lanka is part of. From your long years of political experience, what do you see in the region in future? Cooperation ? Or confrontation? RW: I think there will be cooperation. PRS: between all countries? RW: Between all countries. PRS: Including India and China? RW: Yes! There is already cooperation between India and China. PRS: Mr Prime Minister, a very last question. What is your personal equation with India's PM, Narendra Modi? RW: I have known him for a long time. In fact, I've kept in touch with him since his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat, when no one thought he would be the prime ministerial candidate. We continue that acquaintance and friendship. (WION)

WION Global Leadership Series: Ties with China not at India's expense, says Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe

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