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

The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections

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

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

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

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

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

3 security personnel injured in IED explosion in Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

News brief: Big stories of the day

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

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

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

Hundreds of dead baby girls found dumped in Pakistan

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

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

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

Pakistan initiates to curb urban air pollution after high court ruling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pakistan PM inaugurates long-delayed new airport in capital Islamabad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pakistan's Interior Ministry has abruptly removed the chief prosecutor from the Mumbai terror attack case for "not taking the government line", an official said on Sunday, in a major setback to India's efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Ten Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists had sailed into Mumbai from Karachi and carried out coordinated attacks, killing 166 people and injuring over 300 in November 2008.

"The Interior Ministry has removed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar, who had been representing as chief of prosecution in the Mumbai attack case since 2009, from the high-profile case," an official of the FIA privy to the development said.

The decision by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry can hamper India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice, the news agency observed. The official said that Azhar had been informed that his services “will no longer be required”, PTI reported.&nbsp;

"Azhar has only been separated from the Mumbai attack case. However, he will continue to represent the state in other cases like Benazir assassination,” the official added.

Explaining the Pakistani government’s rationale in removing the chief prosecutor of the case abruptly, the official said that Azhar had developed “differences” with the Pakistani government over the “manner” in which the case was being pursued.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Pakistan has sacked the chief public prosecutor of the trial 2008 Mumbai terror attack case, citing the reason that the prosecutor was not “toeing the government line” in the case.

Pakistan's Interior Ministry has abruptly removed the chief prosecutor from the Mumbai terror attack case for "not taking the government line", an official said on Sunday, in a major setback to India's efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. Ten Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists had sailed into Mumbai from Karachi and carried out coordinated attacks, killing 166 people and injuring over 300 in November 2008. "The Interior Ministry has removed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar, who had been representing as chief of prosecution in the Mumbai attack case since 2009, from the high-profile case," an official of the FIA privy to the development said. The decision by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry can hamper India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice, the news agency observed. The official said that Azhar had been informed that his services “will no longer be required”, PTI reported. "Azhar has only been separated from the Mumbai attack case. However, he will continue to represent the state in other cases like Benazir assassination,” the official added. Explaining the Pakistani government’s rationale in removing the chief prosecutor of the case abruptly, the official said that Azhar had developed “differences” with the Pakistani government over the “manner” in which the case was being pursued. (With inputs from PTI)

26/11 Mumbai terror attack case: Pakistan sacks chief prosecutor for ‘not taking the government line'

By Siddhant Sibbal

Pakistan's ruling PML(N) has presented its last budget with CPEC, terror and Afghanistan making their way into the papers. But where Pakistan is involved, so is geopolitics. &nbsp;

As always, Pakistan increased its defence budget. The Pakistani defence budget has been proposed at Pakistani Rs 1,100 billion for FY 2018-2019 as against the revised budget of Rs 999 billion for 2017-18.&nbsp;

And its no longer 3 A’s — Allah, America and the Army — but ACC — Allah, China and CPEC.

 
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 
CPEC found mention seven times in Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail's speech.&nbsp;

Lauding CPEC, Ismail said, “Vision of Mian Nawaz Sharif, CPEC initiative has become a global brand of Pakistan. &nbsp;As part of CPEC, our government initiated road projects that would link north of Pakistan with Gwadar. Trans-Pakistan corridor of motorways and special economic zones are designed to provide jobs, enhance manufacturing base, and increase prosperity and growth.”&nbsp;

He said that as part of CPEC, the Pakistani government has also finalised its plan to increase by three times the speed of trains on Main Line-I from Peshawar to Karachi.

 
Chinese loans replace US aid 
China has already overtaken, by millions of Pakistani rupees, the US when it comes to loans granted to Pakistan, and this year it will grant even more. In FY 2018-2019, China will be giving loans and grants to Pakistan amounting to Pakistani Rs 98,395.783 million.&nbsp;

Of this, Rs 96,895.738 million will be in the form of loans while Rs 1,500 million will be in the form of grants. The US will be providing just Rs 13,523 million but all of it will be a grant. Clearly. most of the Chinese money being pumped into Pakistan is in the form of loans, the rates of interest on which are not known and nor are the tenures.&nbsp;

China however is well known for its loans ensnaring countries in debt traps.&nbsp;

South Asia has a lot of examples. The most famous one being Sri Lanka's Hambantota port of which China has been granted a 99-year lease.

China’s foreign investment has been called predatory and many in Pakistan itself believe that CPEC could turn Pakistan into a Chinese colony.

<img alt="23.JPG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="685" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/23.JPG" width="610" />

(The loans and grants provided to Pakistan.)

&nbsp;

The AIIB link 
Interestingly, the China-led AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) is also giving loans to Islamabad.&nbsp;

India, with a 7.6% share, is the second largest shareholder in the bank.&nbsp;

AIIB will be giving Pakistan loans totalling up to Rs 13,189 million. It’s a substantial increase from the Rs 5,289.609 given in FY 2017-2018. The new AIIB loan will be given for rehabilitation of the existing carriageway between the DI Khan-Saraigumble section, the Rajanpur-DG. Khan section, and Sehan-Ratodero.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Gwadar: China’s helping hand to the port 
China and Pakistan's love child remains Gwadar.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been granted a Rs 200 million loan for fresh water supply and distribution at Gwadar, and a Rs 100 million loan for the upgradation of an existing 50-bed hospital to 300 beds at the port.&nbsp;

China has also made a Rs 1,000 million grant for the construction of the new Gwadar international airport.

 
China to help in Pakistan's space projects 
Beijing will also be helping Pakistan in its space projects.&nbsp;

According to the Estimates of Foreign Assistance 2018-19, China will help Pakistan build a remote sensing satellite by giving it a loan of Rs 1,116 million space centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi with a Rs 700 million loan and a multi-mission satellite (PAK SAT MM1) with a loan of Rs 850 million.&nbsp;

India had approached Pakistan to be a part of the South Asian satellite project, which Islamabad declined. All the other South Asian countries are part of the New Delhi-led project.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

$126.79 billion: Cost of terror since 2001 
The Pakistani economic survey has a special header “Annex-IV: Impact of War in Afghanistan and Ensuing Terrorism on Pakistan's Economy”.&nbsp;

The two pages talk of what Pakistan has been cribbing about for the last 20 years. That they are victims of terror, but without mentioning how they have provided safe haven to terrorists. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, in the last 17 years, the direct and indirect cost incurred by Pakistan due to incidents of terrorism totalled up to US$ 126.79 billion 10,762.64 billion in Pakistani rupees.

<img alt="1.JPG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="480" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/1.JPG" width="806" />

(The cost of terror paid by Pakistan.)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Afghan refugees are a burden: Economic Survey of Pakistan 
The Pakistani economic survey says the country “continues to be a target of terrorism, including state-sponsored terrorism from its immediate neighbours”. It goes on to say Afghan refugees are a burden on the Pakistani economy. The survey said: “Hosting of millions of Afghan refugees not only burdened Pakistan’s economy but also put additional stress on its internal security situation. Pakistan continued to face terrorist attacks from terrorist hide-outs in Afghanistan.”

&nbsp;

Footnote 
Nothing of course can happen without a bit of drama in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The Pakistani Finance minister Miftah Ismail was sworn in just a few hours ahead of the budget. A miffed opposition walked out. It may be recalled that Ishaq Dar was the Finance Minister until he voluntarily stepped down after a corruption case against him.

China has already overtaken, by millions of Pakistani rupees, the US when it comes to loans granted to Pakistan, and this year it will grant even more

By Siddhant Sibbal Pakistan's ruling PML(N) has presented its last budget with CPEC, terror and Afghanistan making their way into the papers. But where Pakistan is involved, so is geopolitics. As always, Pakistan increased its defence budget. The Pakistani defence budget has been proposed at Pakistani Rs 1,100 billion for FY 2018-2019 as against the revised budget of Rs 999 billion for 2017-18. And its no longer 3 A’s — Allah, America and the Army — but ACC — Allah, China and CPEC. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC found mention seven times in Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail's speech. Lauding CPEC, Ismail said, “Vision of Mian Nawaz Sharif, CPEC initiative has become a global brand of Pakistan. As part of CPEC, our government initiated road projects that would link north of Pakistan with Gwadar. Trans-Pakistan corridor of motorways and special economic zones are designed to provide jobs, enhance manufacturing base, and increase prosperity and growth.” He said that as part of CPEC, the Pakistani government has also finalised its plan to increase by three times the speed of trains on Main Line-I from Peshawar to Karachi. Chinese loans replace US aid China has already overtaken, by millions of Pakistani rupees, the US when it comes to loans granted to Pakistan, and this year it will grant even more. In FY 2018-2019, China will be giving loans and grants to Pakistan amounting to Pakistani Rs 98,395.783 million. Of this, Rs 96,895.738 million will be in the form of loans while Rs 1,500 million will be in the form of grants. The US will be providing just Rs 13,523 million but all of it will be a grant. Clearly. most of the Chinese money being pumped into Pakistan is in the form of loans, the rates of interest on which are not known and nor are the tenures. China however is well known for its loans ensnaring countries in debt traps. South Asia has a lot of examples. The most famous one being Sri Lanka's Hambantota port of which China has been granted a 99-year lease. China’s foreign investment has been called predatory and many in Pakistan itself believe that CPEC could turn Pakistan into a Chinese colony. (The loans and grants provided to Pakistan.) The AIIB link Interestingly, the China-led AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) is also giving loans to Islamabad. India, with a 7.6% share, is the second largest shareholder in the bank. AIIB will be giving Pakistan loans totalling up to Rs 13,189 million. It’s a substantial increase from the Rs 5,289.609 given in FY 2017-2018. The new AIIB loan will be given for rehabilitation of the existing carriageway between the DI Khan-Saraigumble section, the Rajanpur-DG. Khan section, and Sehan-Ratodero. Gwadar: China’s helping hand to the port China and Pakistan's love child remains Gwadar. Pakistan has been granted a Rs 200 million loan for fresh water supply and distribution at Gwadar, and a Rs 100 million loan for the upgradation of an existing 50-bed hospital to 300 beds at the port. China has also made a Rs 1,000 million grant for the construction of the new Gwadar international airport. China to help in Pakistan's space projects Beijing will also be helping Pakistan in its space projects. According to the Estimates of Foreign Assistance 2018-19, China will help Pakistan build a remote sensing satellite by giving it a loan of Rs 1,116 million space centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi with a Rs 700 million loan and a multi-mission satellite (PAK SAT MM1) with a loan of Rs 850 million. India had approached Pakistan to be a part of the South Asian satellite project, which Islamabad declined. All the other South Asian countries are part of the New Delhi-led project. $126.79 billion: Cost of terror since 2001 The Pakistani economic survey has a special header “Annex-IV: Impact of War in Afghanistan and Ensuing Terrorism on Pakistan's Economy”. The two pages talk of what Pakistan has been cribbing about for the last 20 years. That they are victims of terror, but without mentioning how they have provided safe haven to terrorists. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, in the last 17 years, the direct and indirect cost incurred by Pakistan due to incidents of terrorism totalled up to US$ 126.79 billion 10,762.64 billion in Pakistani rupees. (The cost of terror paid by Pakistan.) Afghan refugees are a burden: Economic Survey of Pakistan The Pakistani economic survey says the country “continues to be a target of terrorism, including state-sponsored terrorism from its immediate neighbours”. It goes on to say Afghan refugees are a burden on the Pakistani economy. The survey said: “Hosting of millions of Afghan refugees not only burdened Pakistan’s economy but also put additional stress on its internal security situation. Pakistan continued to face terrorist attacks from terrorist hide-outs in Afghanistan.” Footnote Nothing of course can happen without a bit of drama in Pakistan. The Pakistani Finance minister Miftah Ismail was sworn in just a few hours ahead of the budget. A miffed opposition walked out. It may be recalled that Ishaq Dar was the Finance Minister until he voluntarily stepped down after a corruption case against him.

China is Pakistan's new paymaster: A closer look at the Pakistani budget

An exiled Kashmiri leader Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has blamed the Pakistan Army for endorsing terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Claiming that the Pakistan civil and political organisation have no control over the Pakistan army he said that the army was using them as its proxies against India.

He said that a deliberate attempt was made by Pakistan to use PoK for 'jihadi' activities and that the army is promoting a philosophy that the world is not permanent and one has to die.&nbsp;

He also said that the majority of these terror outfits were based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The exiled leader highlighted the growing instability and lack of development in Pakistan occupied Kashmir which has forced many people to vacate the region.

He also hit out at the multi-billion&nbsp;CPEC project saying that Pakistan and China's were exploiting the resources from PoK and Gilgit baltistan. He added the funds that were meant for the welfare and development of PoK was diverted for other purposes.

"In the past 70 years, our sources of income, including foreign remittances, were not spent for the welfare and empowerment of the people of PoK. They have established a camp to promote 'jihadi' culture. They have endorsed a philosophy that the world is not permanent and one has to die. They want to exploit the resources and occupy territory but tell Kashmiri that this world is temporary. Here, you don't need a good hospital and education and you don't need to live here but to migrate to Saudi Arabia, Britain and the US to earn money. They have promoted a forced migration, which people are not able to understand," he added.

Claiming that the Pakistan civil and political organisation have no control over the Pakistan army he said that the army was using them as its proxies against India

An exiled Kashmiri leader Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has blamed the Pakistan Army for endorsing terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Claiming that the Pakistan civil and political organisation have no control over the Pakistan army he said that the army was using them as its proxies against India. He said that a deliberate attempt was made by Pakistan to use PoK for 'jihadi' activities and that the army is promoting a philosophy that the world is not permanent and one has to die. He also said that the majority of these terror outfits were based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The exiled leader highlighted the growing instability and lack of development in Pakistan occupied Kashmir which has forced many people to vacate the region. He also hit out at the multi-billion CPEC project saying that Pakistan and China's were exploiting the resources from PoK and Gilgit baltistan. He added the funds that were meant for the welfare and development of PoK was diverted for other purposes. "In the past 70 years, our sources of income, including foreign remittances, were not spent for the welfare and empowerment of the people of PoK. They have established a camp to promote 'jihadi' culture. They have endorsed a philosophy that the world is not permanent and one has to die. They want to exploit the resources and occupy territory but tell Kashmiri that this world is temporary. Here, you don't need a good hospital and education and you don't need to live here but to migrate to Saudi Arabia, Britain and the US to earn money. They have promoted a forced migration, which people are not able to understand," he added.

Pakistan army endorsing terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen: Exiled Kashmiri leader

In a first, arch rivals India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in Russia in September, which will also be joined by China and several other countries.

Termed “Peace Mission”, the military exercise will be held at the Ural mountains of Russia and its main aim will be to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries.&nbsp;

The military exercise will take place under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO, officials said.

They said the military drill will be held in the Ural mountains of Russia and almost all SCO member countries will be part of it.

The drill will also see the resumption of bilateral military exercise between India and China, which was suspended last year following the 73-day Doklam standoff.

The officials said India's participation at the exercise was confirmed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a meeting of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Beijing last week.

It will be for the first time since Independence that India and Pakistan will both be part of a military exercise, though the armies of the two nations have worked together in UN peace keeping missions, they said.

At the informal meeting between Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two leaders asked their militaries to strengthen communication, build trust and mutual understanding and “enhance predictability” and “effectiveness” in managing border affairs.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan were admitted as observers of the grouping in 2005. Both the countries were admitted as full members of the bloc last year.

India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping was backed by China. With expansion of the grouping, SCO now represents over 40 per cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP.

India feels that as an SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region. It is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

India has been holding military exercise with China. The two countries are likely to resume their bilateral military exercise in September. Last year the drill was suspended following a tense standoff between their troops in Doklam.

(With PTI inputs)

The military exercise will take place under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO

In a first, arch rivals India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in Russia in September, which will also be joined by China and several other countries. Termed “Peace Mission”, the military exercise will be held at the Ural mountains of Russia and its main aim will be to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries. The military exercise will take place under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO, officials said. They said the military drill will be held in the Ural mountains of Russia and almost all SCO member countries will be part of it. The drill will also see the resumption of bilateral military exercise between India and China, which was suspended last year following the 73-day Doklam standoff. The officials said India's participation at the exercise was confirmed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a meeting of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Beijing last week. It will be for the first time since Independence that India and Pakistan will both be part of a military exercise, though the armies of the two nations have worked together in UN peace keeping missions, they said. At the informal meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two leaders asked their militaries to strengthen communication, build trust and mutual understanding and “enhance predictability” and “effectiveness” in managing border affairs. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan were admitted as observers of the grouping in 2005. Both the countries were admitted as full members of the bloc last year. India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping was backed by China. With expansion of the grouping, SCO now represents over 40 per cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP. India feels that as an SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region. It is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. India has been holding military exercise with China. The two countries are likely to resume their bilateral military exercise in September. Last year the drill was suspended following a tense standoff between their troops in Doklam. (With PTI inputs)

India, Pakistan to carry out military drills as part of multi-nation exercise

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-to-carry-out-military-drills-as-part-of-multi-nation-exercise-133608">India, Pakistan to carry out military drills as part of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-to-carry-out-military-drills-as-part-of-multi-nation-exercise-133608">multi-nation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-to-carry-out-military-drills-as-part-of-multi-nation-exercise-133608"> exercise</a>

In a first, India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in September, which will also be joined by China and several other countries.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-set-to-launch-space-programme-to-keep-an-eye-on-indian-side-report-133590">Pakistan set to launch space programme to keep an eye on Indian side: Report</a>

Pakistan is set to launch an ambitious space programme during the next fiscal year with an aim to keep an eye on the Indian side and reduce its dependence on foreign satellites for civil and military purposes, according to a media report.

<a href="3,292 NGOs, institutes yet to disclose foreign donations: Government">3,292 NGOs, institutes yet to disclose foreign donations: Government</a>

As many as 3,292 NGOs and institutes, including some top academic centres like JNU, IGNOU, IIT Delhi and Madras, besides the Infosys Foundation in Bangalore have not disclosed their annual foreign donations and expenditure for the last fiscal or previous years, the Home Ministry has said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-transport-plane-crashes-at-el-sharara-oilfield-3-killed-reports-133615">Libyan transport plane crashes at El Sharara oilfield, 3 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-transport-plane-crashes-at-el-sharara-oilfield-3-killed-reports-133615">killed </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-transport-plane-crashes-at-el-sharara-oilfield-3-killed-reports-133615">:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-transport-plane-crashes-at-el-sharara-oilfield-3-killed-reports-133615">Reports</a>

Three people were killed in a plane crash at an airfield at EI Sharara oilfield on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-talk-to-japan-at-any-time-133582">North Korea willing to talk to Japan at 'any time'</a>

North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un has agreed to have a dialogue with Japan "any time", Seoul's presidential office said Sunday, two days after the historic North-South Summit.&nbsp;

India, Pakistan to carry out military drills as part of multi-nation exercise In a first, India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in September, which will also be joined by China and several other countries. Pakistan set to launch space programme to keep an eye on Indian side: Report Pakistan is set to launch an ambitious space programme during the next fiscal year with an aim to keep an eye on the Indian side and reduce its dependence on foreign satellites for civil and military purposes, according to a media report. 3,292 NGOs, institutes yet to disclose foreign donations: Government As many as 3,292 NGOs and institutes, including some top academic centres like JNU, IGNOU, IIT Delhi and Madras, besides the Infosys Foundation in Bangalore have not disclosed their annual foreign donations and expenditure for the last fiscal or previous years, the Home Ministry has said. Libyan transport plane crashes at El Sharara oilfield, 3 killed :Reports Three people were killed in a plane crash at an airfield at EI Sharara oilfield on Sunday. North Korea willing to talk to Japan at 'any time' North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un has agreed to have a dialogue with Japan "any time", Seoul's presidential office said Sunday, two days after the historic North-South Summit.

In a first, India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in September, which will also be joined by China and several other countries.

The military exercise will take place under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO, officials said.

They said the military drill will be held in the Ural mountains of Russia and almost all SCO member countries will be part of it.&nbsp

They said the main aim of the exercise, Peace Mission, will be to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries.

The officials said India's participation at the exercise was confirmed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a meeting of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Beijing last week.

It will be for the first time since Independence that India and Pakistan will both be part of a military exercise, though the armies of the two nations have worked together in UN peacekeeping missions, they said.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan were admitted as observers of the grouping in 2005. Both the countries were admitted as full members of the bloc last year.

India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping was backed by China. With the expansion of the grouping, SCO now represents over 40 per cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP.&nbsp

India feels that as an SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region. It is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

India has been holding the military exercise with China. The two countries are likely to resume their bilateral military exercise in September. Last year the drill was suspended following a tense standoff between their troops in Doklam.&nbsp

The main aim of the exercise will be to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries

In a first, India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in September, which will also be joined by China and several other countries. The military exercise will take place under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO, officials said. They said the military drill will be held in the Ural mountains of Russia and almost all SCO member countries will be part of it. They said the main aim of the exercise, Peace Mission, will be to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries. The officials said India's participation at the exercise was confirmed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a meeting of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Beijing last week. It will be for the first time since Independence that India and Pakistan will both be part of a military exercise, though the armies of the two nations have worked together in UN peacekeeping missions, they said. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan were admitted as observers of the grouping in 2005. Both the countries were admitted as full members of the bloc last year. India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping was backed by China. With the expansion of the grouping, SCO now represents over 40 per cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP. India feels that as an SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region. It is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. India has been holding the military exercise with China. The two countries are likely to resume their bilateral military exercise in September. Last year the drill was suspended following a tense standoff between their troops in Doklam.

As per reports, Pakistani intelligence officials have moved the doctor who helped the CIA track and kill Osama bin Laden to an unknown location due to "security reasons". The Pak doctor, Shakil Afridi, was housed at Peshawar's Central Jail for almost seven years.

Afridi's fake vaccination programme served as a catalyst in facilitating the US track and kill the Al-Qaeda leader.

The former senior surgeon was found guilty of being associated with militants and was convicted for the same. In May 2012, Afridi was sentenced to jail for over three decades.

US President Donald Trump had earlier expressed his desire to pressure Pakistan into setting Afridi free. Afridi's sentence was cut down by a decade in 2016 after the United States threatened to cut aid to Pakistan.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump had earlier expressed his desire to pressure Pakistan into setting Afridi free

As per reports, Pakistani intelligence officials have moved the doctor who helped the CIA track and kill Osama bin Laden to an unknown location due to "security reasons". The Pak doctor, Shakil Afridi, was housed at Peshawar's Central Jail for almost seven years. Afridi's fake vaccination programme served as a catalyst in facilitating the US track and kill the Al-Qaeda leader. The former senior surgeon was found guilty of being associated with militants and was convicted for the same. In May 2012, Afridi was sentenced to jail for over three decades. US President Donald Trump had earlier expressed his desire to pressure Pakistan into setting Afridi free. Afridi's sentence was cut down by a decade in 2016 after the United States threatened to cut aid to Pakistan.

Pakistani doctor who helped US track Bin Laden moved to 'safer' location

Members of the Pashtun community called Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) staged a massive rally in Lahore's Mochi Gate on Sunday after the Punjab government's refusal to issue permits to the event. The community staged a series of protests against extrajudicial arrests and killings of members of the ethnic minority by security forces.

The killing of an aspiring model from the community - which makes up about 15 per cent of Pakistan's 207 million population - in January sparked the countrywide protests. The PTM will hold a rally on May 12 in Karachi. His death sparked protests who accused Pakistan's security forces of racial profiling, seeing all Pashtuns as Taliban simply because many insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan are recruited from among Pashtun tribesmen.

Among those who took the rostrum were Tahera Jalib — daughter of revolutionary poet Habib Jalib, whose father wrote Dastoor as well as Amina Masood Janjua of the Defence of Human Rights Pakistan, whose husband has been missing since 2005.

The groups leader 25-year-old Manzoor Pashteen, has become the face of the country's oppressed Pashtun, charging that in the name of its "war on terror" the military has used indiscriminate force as it hunts for Taliban hideouts in the tribal regions where the Pashtun dominate, imposing collective punishments like bulldozing the homes of family members of suspected militants and punishing entire villages for extremist attacks. Wearing his signature red embroidered cap and a dark, well-kept beard, Mansoor seems an unlikely leader.

<img alt="28INTHVLRPAKISTAN-PROTESTS.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="690" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/28INTHVLRPAKISTAN-PROTESTS.jpg" width="460" />

Manzoor Pashteen

On Sunday, he led another Pashtun Long March in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, demanding protection and rights.

As per reports, Masood was involved with the Islamist militants which were denied by his family and close peers.

Even though the rallies have not been violent and more like peaceful demonstrations across the country, the authorities have boycotted the recent one staged in Lahore and also detained several leaders.

Manzoor has been demanding the release of all “missing people.” He posits that, if these missing people have committed any crime against the state of Pakistan, they should be tried as citizens of the state in courts of law.

Second, he has called for the establishment of a judicial commission in Pakistan, that assesses the legitimacy of extrajudicial killings committed so far. 
Finally, Manzoor has demanded that all landmines planted during security operations during the War on Terror, be cleared by authorities in FATA, that the paramilitary forces stop harassing Pashtun families on the pretext of search operations. Additionally, he demands that the number of security check posts be reduced in the northwestern areas and that Pashtun citizens of the state not be subjected to constant embarrassment.

Manzoor announced that the next stop for the movement would be Swat following which a gathering would be held in Karachi on May 12 — to mark the day when over 40 people were killed in the metropolis in 2007.

The district administration had earlier rejected an application by the Lahore Left Front for the PTM rally citing security concerns.

Punjab police officials — both male and female — provided security at the venue to ensure that no one entered the ground with weapons or sharp objects.

A number of PTM leaders were briefly detained on Saturday while workers found the venue of the rally flooded with water when they arrived to kickstart preparations today.

The killing of an aspiring model from the community - which makes up about 15 per cent of Pakistan's 207 million population - in January sparked the countrywide protests

Members of the Pashtun community called Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) staged a massive rally in Lahore's Mochi Gate on Sunday after the Punjab government's refusal to issue permits to the event. The community staged a series of protests against extrajudicial arrests and killings of members of the ethnic minority by security forces. The killing of an aspiring model from the community - which makes up about 15 per cent of Pakistan's 207 million population - in January sparked the countrywide protests. The PTM will hold a rally on May 12 in Karachi. His death sparked protests who accused Pakistan's security forces of racial profiling, seeing all Pashtuns as Taliban simply because many insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan are recruited from among Pashtun tribesmen. Among those who took the rostrum were Tahera Jalib — daughter of revolutionary poet Habib Jalib, whose father wrote Dastoor as well as Amina Masood Janjua of the Defence of Human Rights Pakistan, whose husband has been missing since 2005. The groups leader 25-year-old Manzoor Pashteen, has become the face of the country's oppressed Pashtun, charging that in the name of its "war on terror" the military has used indiscriminate force as it hunts for Taliban hideouts in the tribal regions where the Pashtun dominate, imposing collective punishments like bulldozing the homes of family members of suspected militants and punishing entire villages for extremist attacks. Wearing his signature red embroidered cap and a dark, well-kept beard, Mansoor seems an unlikely leader. Manzoor Pashteen On Sunday, he led another Pashtun Long March in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, demanding protection and rights. As per reports, Masood was involved with the Islamist militants which were denied by his family and close peers. Even though the rallies have not been violent and more like peaceful demonstrations across the country, the authorities have boycotted the recent one staged in Lahore and also detained several leaders. Manzoor has been demanding the release of all “missing people.” He posits that, if these missing people have committed any crime against the state of Pakistan, they should be tried as citizens of the state in courts of law. Second, he has called for the establishment of a judicial commission in Pakistan, that assesses the legitimacy of extrajudicial killings committed so far. Finally, Manzoor has demanded that all landmines planted during security operations during the War on Terror, be cleared by authorities in FATA, that the paramilitary forces stop harassing Pashtun families on the pretext of search operations. Additionally, he demands that the number of security check posts be reduced in the northwestern areas and that Pashtun citizens of the state not be subjected to constant embarrassment. Manzoor announced that the next stop for the movement would be Swat following which a gathering would be held in Karachi on May 12 — to mark the day when over 40 people were killed in the metropolis in 2007. The district administration had earlier rejected an application by the Lahore Left Front for the PTM rally citing security concerns. Punjab police officials — both male and female — provided security at the venue to ensure that no one entered the ground with weapons or sharp objects. A number of PTM leaders were briefly detained on Saturday while workers found the venue of the rally flooded with water when they arrived to kickstart preparations today.

Meet Manzoor Pashteen, the man leading protests to defy Pakistan army

Pakistani Finance Minister Miftah Ismail lauded a resurgent economy and announced a big hike in military spending for the next fiscal year on Friday in a chaotic budget session marred by lawmakers'&nbsp;jeers and scuffles ahead of an expected election.

Opposition lawmakers objected to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) presenting a full-year budget so close to the election, likely in July, and staged a walkout. Others tried to storm the podium to physically disrupt Ismail's speech, but were blocked by a human chain of PML-N parliamentarians.

Pakistan's economy has rebounded in recent years due to a drop in militant violence and vast investments by China that have helped alleviate power shortages. Growth is projected to hit a 13-year high of 5.8 percent in 2017/2018 (July-June) before accelerating to 6.2 percent next fiscal year.

"Due to historic low-interest rates, the business and industry has seen growth, and employment opportunities have been created," Miftah said, while opposition lawmakers threw papers in the air.

But a widening current account deficit and dwindling foreign currency reserves have taken some shine off the economic outlook, with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warning of risks to the economy.

Ismail said the budget deficit would hit 5.5 percent for the current fiscal year, missing the government's fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent. He forecast the budget deficit at 4.9 percent of GDP in 2018/2019.

A government document put the total budget outlay for 2018/2019 at 5.9 trillion Pakistani rupees ($51.06 billion).

A very big success

Ismail said tax revenues reached 13.2 percent of GDP in 2017/2018, up from 10.1 percent in 2012/2013.

"This unusual increase in tax collection is a very big success," Ismail said.&nbsp;

A budget document said total tax receipts would reach 4.2 trillion for 2017/2018 - barely missing the official target - and Ismail projected they would jump to 4.43 trillion rupees next fiscal year.

Ismail also set aside 1.1 trillion for the defence budget, increasing it by about 20 percent from the 920 million that the government had budgeted for the military to spend. Revised figures from a budget document suggest military spending will hit 1 trillion this year anyway.&nbsp;

The United States has announced a suspension of military assistance to Pakistan totalling about $2 billion, though it was not clear whether this was why Pakistan's military budget exceeded its planned outlay.

Washington suspended the assistance due to claims that Islamabad was either assisting or turning a blind eye to Islamist militants who use Pakistan's soil as a launchpad for attacks in Afghanistan.

The huge boost to defence spending comes at a time of fraught relations between the ruling party and the powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half its history.

Senior PML-N officials have suggested that elements of the military establishment are trying to weaken the party before the polls. The military has denied interfering in politics. 
&nbsp;

The huge boost to defence spending comes at a time of fraught relations between the ruling party and the powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half its history

Pakistani Finance Minister Miftah Ismail lauded a resurgent economy and announced a big hike in military spending for the next fiscal year on Friday in a chaotic budget session marred by lawmakers' jeers and scuffles ahead of an expected election. Opposition lawmakers objected to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) presenting a full-year budget so close to the election, likely in July, and staged a walkout. Others tried to storm the podium to physically disrupt Ismail's speech, but were blocked by a human chain of PML-N parliamentarians. Pakistan's economy has rebounded in recent years due to a drop in militant violence and vast investments by China that have helped alleviate power shortages. Growth is projected to hit a 13-year high of 5.8 percent in 2017/2018 (July-June) before accelerating to 6.2 percent next fiscal year. "Due to historic low-interest rates, the business and industry has seen growth, and employment opportunities have been created," Miftah said, while opposition lawmakers threw papers in the air. But a widening current account deficit and dwindling foreign currency reserves have taken some shine off the economic outlook, with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warning of risks to the economy. Ismail said the budget deficit would hit 5.5 percent for the current fiscal year, missing the government's fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent. He forecast the budget deficit at 4.9 percent of GDP in 2018/2019. A government document put the total budget outlay for 2018/2019 at 5.9 trillion Pakistani rupees ($51.06 billion). A very big success Ismail said tax revenues reached 13.2 percent of GDP in 2017/2018, up from 10.1 percent in 2012/2013. "This unusual increase in tax collection is a very big success," Ismail said. A budget document said total tax receipts would reach 4.2 trillion for 2017/2018 - barely missing the official target - and Ismail projected they would jump to 4.43 trillion rupees next fiscal year. Ismail also set aside 1.1 trillion for the defence budget, increasing it by about 20 percent from the 920 million that the government had budgeted for the military to spend. Revised figures from a budget document suggest military spending will hit 1 trillion this year anyway. The United States has announced a suspension of military assistance to Pakistan totalling about $2 billion, though it was not clear whether this was why Pakistan's military budget exceeded its planned outlay. Washington suspended the assistance due to claims that Islamabad was either assisting or turning a blind eye to Islamist militants who use Pakistan's soil as a launchpad for attacks in Afghanistan. The huge boost to defence spending comes at a time of fraught relations between the ruling party and the powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half its history. Senior PML-N officials have suggested that elements of the military establishment are trying to weaken the party before the polls. The military has denied interfering in politics.

Pakistan finance minister hikes military spending in rowdy budget session

Two men from the Shia Hazara community were shot dead by unidentified assailants here on Saturday.

The incident occurred when the bike-borne assailants opened fire on them at an electronics shop in Jamaluddin Afghani road in the city and fled after the incident, Express Tribune reported.

The two men were immediately rushed to the civil hospital but were declared dead on their arrival.

An investigation has been launched to identify the motive behind the attack.

A day earlier, police said, brother of a prayer leader was targetted on Toghi Road in the city.

Prior to this, five policemen were martyred after a suicide attacker bombed a police truck in Quetta, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.

Balochistan Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari said the suicide bomber had come on a motorcycle and hit the truck from the rear end.

Earlier in the day, two suicide bombers were killed by the security forces in the city's Mian Ghundi area, the military's media wing said. The bombers had attempted to target a Frontier Corps post near the Western Bypass.&nbsp;

Hundreds of Hazaras in the Balochistan capital recently gathered together to protest against the targeted killings and the constant persecution of the community.

The Hazara community is targeted by miscreants because of their distinctive physical appearance and has been severely affected by sectarian terrorism in Balochistan in the last few years.

Last month, a report released by the Pakistan National Commission for Human Rights showed that 509 people from the community were killed, while 627 of them were wounded in different incidents of terrorism for the last five years in the Balochistan capital.

(With inputs from ANI)

The two men were immediately rushed to the civil hospital but were declared dead on their arrival.

Two men from the Shia Hazara community were shot dead by unidentified assailants here on Saturday. The incident occurred when the bike-borne assailants opened fire on them at an electronics shop in Jamaluddin Afghani road in the city and fled after the incident, Express Tribune reported. The two men were immediately rushed to the civil hospital but were declared dead on their arrival. An investigation has been launched to identify the motive behind the attack. A day earlier, police said, brother of a prayer leader was targetted on Toghi Road in the city. Prior to this, five policemen were martyred after a suicide attacker bombed a police truck in Quetta, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations. Balochistan Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari said the suicide bomber had come on a motorcycle and hit the truck from the rear end. Earlier in the day, two suicide bombers were killed by the security forces in the city's Mian Ghundi area, the military's media wing said. The bombers had attempted to target a Frontier Corps post near the Western Bypass. Hundreds of Hazaras in the Balochistan capital recently gathered together to protest against the targeted killings and the constant persecution of the community. The Hazara community is targeted by miscreants because of their distinctive physical appearance and has been severely affected by sectarian terrorism in Balochistan in the last few years. Last month, a report released by the Pakistan National Commission for Human Rights showed that 509 people from the community were killed, while 627 of them were wounded in different incidents of terrorism for the last five years in the Balochistan capital. (With inputs from ANI)

Two Shia Hazara community members killed in Pakistan's Quetta

India has handed over to Bangladesh a Mi-4 helicopter and two PT-76 tanks as part of the 1971 Liberation War memorabilia, officials said on Thursday in Dhaka.

"The gifts are to be showcased at the Bangladesh army and air force museums," a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said the helicopter and the tanks were part of gifts given by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her Bangladesh visit last year.

The memorabilia included 25 weapons like pistol, rifles, machine guns and mortars alongside a large number of artefact, historical photographs, archival audio and video clipping, maps and battle records related to the 1971 Liberation War.

"While most items of memorabilia have been handed over to the Bangladesh National Museum the larger items ie PT-76 Tanks and Mi 4 Helicopter are now being handed over to the Bangladesh Army and Air Force," Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

The light amphibious PT-76 tanks were used by the Indian Army's armoured regiments in 1971 which played a crucial role in crossing rivers and water bodies during the war.

Analysts said these tanks often outclassed a much larger force and technically superior M34 Chafee tanks, used by the Pakistani Army in the war.

The Mi-4 transport helicopter was extensively utilised for heliborne operations by the India-Bangladesh joint forces in the eastern sector confirming early defeat of Pakistani troops in 1971.

Indian air force earlier gifted Bangladesh one Hunter jet fighter, one Dakota transport air craft ahead of this helicopter while India's navy previously gifted memorabilia of its INS Vikrant, models of ships that took part in the war and archival photographs and its army gifts included six 3.7 Howitzer Guns.&nbsp

India backed Bangladesh's Liberation War, which began after the sudden crackdown at midnight past on March 25, 1971 in the erstwhile East Pakistan by Pakistani troops.

On December 16, the same year as Pakistan conceded defeat and its troops unconditionally surrendered in Dhaka to the allied forces comprising the freedom fighters and the Indian Army.&nbsp

'The gifts are to be showcased at the Bangladesh army and air force museums' a defence ministry spokesman said

India has handed over to Bangladesh a Mi-4 helicopter and two PT-76 tanks as part of the 1971 Liberation War memorabilia, officials said on Thursday in Dhaka. "The gifts are to be showcased at the Bangladesh army and air force museums," a defence ministry spokesman said. He said the helicopter and the tanks were part of gifts given by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her Bangladesh visit last year. The memorabilia included 25 weapons like pistol, rifles, machine guns and mortars alongside a large number of artefact, historical photographs, archival audio and video clipping, maps and battle records related to the 1971 Liberation War. "While most items of memorabilia have been handed over to the Bangladesh National Museum the larger items ie PT-76 Tanks and Mi 4 Helicopter are now being handed over to the Bangladesh Army and Air Force," Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. The light amphibious PT-76 tanks were used by the Indian Army's armoured regiments in 1971 which played a crucial role in crossing rivers and water bodies during the war. Analysts said these tanks often outclassed a much larger force and technically superior M34 Chafee tanks, used by the Pakistani Army in the war. The Mi-4 transport helicopter was extensively utilised for heliborne operations by the India-Bangladesh joint forces in the eastern sector confirming early defeat of Pakistani troops in 1971. Indian air force earlier gifted Bangladesh one Hunter jet fighter, one Dakota transport air craft ahead of this helicopter while India's navy previously gifted memorabilia of its INS Vikrant, models of ships that took part in the war and archival photographs and its army gifts included six 3.7 Howitzer Guns. India backed Bangladesh's Liberation War, which began after the sudden crackdown at midnight past on March 25, 1971 in the erstwhile East Pakistan by Pakistani troops. On December 16, the same year as Pakistan conceded defeat and its troops unconditionally surrendered in Dhaka to the allied forces comprising the freedom fighters and the Indian Army.

India hands over helicopter, tanks to Bangladesh as 1971 memorabilia

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India hands over helicopter, tanks to Bangladesh as 1971 memorabilia