A Pakistan court has ordered the election commission to allow the registration of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed&#39;s Milli Muslim League as a political party.

The order came days after a Pakistani court extended a stay against the &quot;possible arrest&quot; of the JuD chief till April 4.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) yesterday set aside a decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to reject the application of Jamaat-ud-Dawah&#39;s political front Milli Muslim League (MML) for registration as a political party.

Justice Aamer Farooq sent the case back to the ECP asking it to proceed further on the application by giving the party an opportunity of hearing, Dawn newspaper reported.

The MML through its president Saifullah Khalid approached the IHC and made the ECP and the interior secretary respondents in the matter.

Challenging the ECP&#39;s order of October 11, 2017, the petition described it unreasonable, illegal as well as against the Constitution and the law.

&quot;Article 17 (2) of the Constitution confers a fundamental right on every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, to form or to be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by the law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan,&quot; the petitioner maintained.

He prayed to the court to set aside the order and direct the ECP to scrutinise the documents afresh, strictly in accordance with the law and enlist the party.

The ECP had turned down the plea of the MML because of its alleged links with banned militant outfits.

The ECP took the decision on the basis of a letter from the Ministry of Interior which had asked the commission to ban the MML for having links with banned militant outfits.

The ministry had stated that the JuD and its charity Falah-i-lnsaniyat Foundation (FIF) were banned organisations under the Pakistan Security Council Act 1948.

The court&#39;s latest order also comes in the backdrop of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental money-laundering watchdog, that put Pakistan on a grey list.

At the FATF meeting in Paris last month, Saeed and his &quot;charities&quot; were top on the list of the groups that the FATF wanted Pakistan to act against.

The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a global terrorist.

Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack, was also placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations in December 2008.

The banned JuD head was released from the house arrest in November last year after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January last year.&nbsp;

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) yesterday set aside a decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)

A Pakistan court has ordered the election commission to allow the registration of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Milli Muslim League as a political party. The order came days after a Pakistani court extended a stay against the "possible arrest" of the JuD chief till April 4. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) yesterday set aside a decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to reject the application of Jamaat-ud-Dawah's political front Milli Muslim League (MML) for registration as a political party. Justice Aamer Farooq sent the case back to the ECP asking it to proceed further on the application by giving the party an opportunity of hearing, Dawn newspaper reported. The MML through its president Saifullah Khalid approached the IHC and made the ECP and the interior secretary respondents in the matter. Challenging the ECP's order of October 11, 2017, the petition described it unreasonable, illegal as well as against the Constitution and the law. "Article 17 (2) of the Constitution confers a fundamental right on every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, to form or to be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by the law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan," the petitioner maintained. He prayed to the court to set aside the order and direct the ECP to scrutinise the documents afresh, strictly in accordance with the law and enlist the party. The ECP had turned down the plea of the MML because of its alleged links with banned militant outfits. The ECP took the decision on the basis of a letter from the Ministry of Interior which had asked the commission to ban the MML for having links with banned militant outfits. The ministry had stated that the JuD and its charity Falah-i-lnsaniyat Foundation (FIF) were banned organisations under the Pakistan Security Council Act 1948. The court's latest order also comes in the backdrop of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental money-laundering watchdog, that put Pakistan on a grey list. At the FATF meeting in Paris last month, Saeed and his "charities" were top on the list of the groups that the FATF wanted Pakistan to act against. The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a global terrorist. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack, was also placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations in December 2008. The banned JuD head was released from the house arrest in November last year after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January last year.

Pakistan court clears way for registration of Hafiz Saeed's political party

The Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar has said that Pakistan is trying to make efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system as a political party.

He added that the world is watching that Pakistan is not taking any action against Saeed.

He said &quot;Pakistan is mandated under UN Law to take action against Hafiz Saeed but instant developments coming out of Pak seems to be an attempt by Pak establishment to mainstream him and his system as a political party. It is a way of shielding what he used to do earlier. The true face of Hafiz Saeed and Pakistan is for all to see. Not only India but also the entire international community feels that the action which should be taken against Hafiz Saeed is not being taken&quot;.

Speaking on the rising tensions in the Korean peninsula, Kumar said India&nbsp;is ready to indulge in any kind of dialogue and diplomacy to maintain peace in the region.&nbsp;

&quot;We believe that any solution to the issues in Koran peninsula must take into account and address concerns about the proliferation linkages of DPRK&#39;s nuclear envisage programme. India supports all efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Korean peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy. We hope that such engagement will help in reducing tensions and pave the way for lasting peace &amp; reconciliation in the Korean peninsula&quot;.

Speaking of the reports that claimed Indians were not allowed to attend the event of Dalai Lama, the spokesperson clarified that the Buddhist leader is free to carry his religious functions in India.&nbsp;

He said &quot;Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader and worshipped in India. There is no change in that position. He is free to carry his religious functions here&quot;.

He also spoke about the controversy surrounding the visit of Canadian Prime minister in India.

He said &quot;Jaspal Atwal&nbsp;travelled to India on a valid visa. This was the third visit. Government of India has a conscious policy of outreach to Indian diaspora including misguided elements who in past may have harboured anti-India sentiments which they have since renounced.&nbsp;&quot;There are well-established procedures for grant of visa to foreign travellers which have been followed in this case as well&quot;.

Jaspal Atwal was part of a movement that supported an independent Sikh nation in the 1980 and was imprisoned&nbsp;for the attempted murder of a visiting Indian minister in 1986.

He was invited to a dinner with Canadian Prime minister&nbsp;Justin Trudeau in New Delhi.

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As far as I know, the paperwork from UAE govt were handed over to us and on the basis of that the mortal remains were brought to India. Had there been something suspicious, it would have come out by now: Raveesh Kumar, MEA Spokesperson on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sridevi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sridevi</a> <a href="https://t.co/PVeAJSxxra">pic.twitter.com/PVeAJSxxra</a>
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He added that the world is watching that Pakistan is not taking any action against Saeed

The Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar has said that Pakistan is trying to make efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system as a political party. He added that the world is watching that Pakistan is not taking any action against Saeed. He said "Pakistan is mandated under UN Law to take action against Hafiz Saeed but instant developments coming out of Pak seems to be an attempt by Pak establishment to mainstream him and his system as a political party. It is a way of shielding what he used to do earlier. The true face of Hafiz Saeed and Pakistan is for all to see. Not only India but also the entire international community feels that the action which should be taken against Hafiz Saeed is not being taken". Speaking on the rising tensions in the Korean peninsula, Kumar said India is ready to indulge in any kind of dialogue and diplomacy to maintain peace in the region. "We believe that any solution to the issues in Koran peninsula must take into account and address concerns about the proliferation linkages of DPRK's nuclear envisage programme. India supports all efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Korean peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy. We hope that such engagement will help in reducing tensions and pave the way for lasting peace & reconciliation in the Korean peninsula". Speaking of the reports that claimed Indians were not allowed to attend the event of Dalai Lama, the spokesperson clarified that the Buddhist leader is free to carry his religious functions in India. He said "Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader and worshipped in India. There is no change in that position. He is free to carry his religious functions here". He also spoke about the controversy surrounding the visit of Canadian Prime minister in India. He said "Jaspal Atwal travelled to India on a valid visa. This was the third visit. Government of India has a conscious policy of outreach to Indian diaspora including misguided elements who in past may have harboured anti-India sentiments which they have since renounced. "There are well-established procedures for grant of visa to foreign travellers which have been followed in this case as well". Jaspal Atwal was part of a movement that supported an independent Sikh nation in the 1980 and was imprisoned for the attempted murder of a visiting Indian minister in 1986. He was invited to a dinner with Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau in New Delhi. As far as I know, the paperwork from UAE govt were handed over to us and on the basis of that the mortal remains were brought to India. Had there been something suspicious, it would have come out by now: Raveesh Kumar, MEA Spokesperson on #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/PVeAJSxxra — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018 ×

Pak govt making efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system: India's MEA

A special court on Thursday hearing the high treason case against former president General (R) Pervez Musharraf ordered the government to arrest him and seize his property.

The hearing resumed on Thursday after a gap of nine months.

According to Geo TV, Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi is heading the bench which includes Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali and Balochistan High Court Justice Tahira Safdar.

The bench, formed in 2013, is hearing the case of imposition of extra-constitutional emergency by Musharraf in November 2007.

As the hearing went underway, the Interior Ministry submitted in court a report on Musharraf&#39;s properties, stating that four of the seven properties are owned by the former president and army chief.

Ten years ago, Musharraf imposed an emergency. Prosecutor Akram Sheikh, presenting arguments, pressed the court to order Musharraf&#39;s arrest and production in court.

The court inquired from the Federal Investigation Agency officials what the procedure is to bring back an absconder from abroad. The officials replied that the Interior Ministry sends them a request in this regard after which action is taken.

Chief Justice Afridi remarked that the court is ordering the arrest and seizure of Musharraf&#39;s properties. Musharraf&#39;s counsel, Akhtar Shah, pleaded the court not to order confiscation of Musharraf&#39;s properties until March 21, but Justice Afridi remarked that this court procedure and cannot be curtailed.

The hearing was then adjourned until March 21.

The former army chief was indicted in the case in March 2014 after he appeared before the court and rejected all charges.

On March 18, 2016, the former president left Pakistan for Dubai for medical treatment after his name was removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) on the orders of the Supreme Court.

A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

The bench, formed in 2013, is hearing the case of imposition of extra-constitutional emergency by Musharraf in November 2007

A special court on Thursday hearing the high treason case against former president General (R) Pervez Musharraf ordered the government to arrest him and seize his property. The hearing resumed on Thursday after a gap of nine months. According to Geo TV, Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi is heading the bench which includes Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali and Balochistan High Court Justice Tahira Safdar. The bench, formed in 2013, is hearing the case of imposition of extra-constitutional emergency by Musharraf in November 2007. As the hearing went underway, the Interior Ministry submitted in court a report on Musharraf's properties, stating that four of the seven properties are owned by the former president and army chief. Ten years ago, Musharraf imposed an emergency. Prosecutor Akram Sheikh, presenting arguments, pressed the court to order Musharraf's arrest and production in court. The court inquired from the Federal Investigation Agency officials what the procedure is to bring back an absconder from abroad. The officials replied that the Interior Ministry sends them a request in this regard after which action is taken. Chief Justice Afridi remarked that the court is ordering the arrest and seizure of Musharraf's properties. Musharraf's counsel, Akhtar Shah, pleaded the court not to order confiscation of Musharraf's properties until March 21, but Justice Afridi remarked that this court procedure and cannot be curtailed. The hearing was then adjourned until March 21. The former army chief was indicted in the case in March 2014 after he appeared before the court and rejected all charges. On March 18, 2016, the former president left Pakistan for Dubai for medical treatment after his name was removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) on the orders of the Supreme Court. A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show. (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan court orders government to arrest Pervez Musharraf, seize his properties

China has allegedly detained dozens of Chinese Muslim women in its restive Xinjiang province, located in the north-western part of the country, for marrying Pakistani men belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region of Pakistan.

This issue was addressed in a unanimously passed resolution of the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly, which was disclosed by the Pakistani lawmakers on Sunday.

According to the resolution passed, it has called the Pakistan government to take urgent steps to secure the release of over 50 Chinese wives, who according to them, was taken into custody last year when they were in their native towns of the Xinjiang province visiting their relatives, the Voice of America reported.

The deputy speaker of the assembly, Jafferullah Khan, was quoted by various media outlets as saying that the Chinese women were rounded up during an anti-terrorism drive by China on the ethnic Uighur Muslim community in Xinjiang.

The women are married to GB men, most of them who are affiliated with trading activities through the Khunjerab Pass, the only land route linking Pakistan and China. The mountain pass is situated about 4,500 meters above the sea level.

Regional lawmakers have asserted that the history of inter-caste marriages between GB and Xinjiang is decades old, and both the border regions share extremely close cultural ties.

They have insisted that the detained Chinese women had no links to any radical terrorism and were absolutely innocent.

The Chinese and Pakistani federal officials are yet to react to the allegations levelled in the resolution.

In the recent years, religiously motivated violence in Xinjiang province has been a thorn in the flesh for Chinese officials. They have blamed the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), who are responsible for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks in and beyond the province.

The ETIM is believed to have ties with militants operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively.

The separatist group was founded by Uighur militants, in response to the alleged government suppressions on religious and cultural expression, a charge Beijing has denied it as &quot;baseless&quot;.

The GB region is the gateway to a massive economic cooperation deal, called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), initiated by Islamabad and Beijing.

The building of the $62 billion economic corridor is a combination of building roads, rails, power plants and economic free zones in Pakistan.

Thousands of Chinese are currently working on the CPEC project in Pakistan. When built, it will link Gwadar to Xinjiang region in China, through Khunjerab Pass, giving Beijing a secure and shortest trade access to international markets.

This issue was addressed in a unanimously passed resolution of the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly, which was disclosed by the Pakistani lawmakers

China has allegedly detained dozens of Chinese Muslim women in its restive Xinjiang province, located in the north-western part of the country, for marrying Pakistani men belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region of Pakistan. This issue was addressed in a unanimously passed resolution of the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly, which was disclosed by the Pakistani lawmakers on Sunday. According to the resolution passed, it has called the Pakistan government to take urgent steps to secure the release of over 50 Chinese wives, who according to them, was taken into custody last year when they were in their native towns of the Xinjiang province visiting their relatives, the Voice of America reported. The deputy speaker of the assembly, Jafferullah Khan, was quoted by various media outlets as saying that the Chinese women were rounded up during an anti-terrorism drive by China on the ethnic Uighur Muslim community in Xinjiang. The women are married to GB men, most of them who are affiliated with trading activities through the Khunjerab Pass, the only land route linking Pakistan and China. The mountain pass is situated about 4,500 meters above the sea level. Regional lawmakers have asserted that the history of inter-caste marriages between GB and Xinjiang is decades old, and both the border regions share extremely close cultural ties. They have insisted that the detained Chinese women had no links to any radical terrorism and were absolutely innocent. The Chinese and Pakistani federal officials are yet to react to the allegations levelled in the resolution. In the recent years, religiously motivated violence in Xinjiang province has been a thorn in the flesh for Chinese officials. They have blamed the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), who are responsible for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks in and beyond the province. The ETIM is believed to have ties with militants operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively. The separatist group was founded by Uighur militants, in response to the alleged government suppressions on religious and cultural expression, a charge Beijing has denied it as "baseless". The GB region is the gateway to a massive economic cooperation deal, called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), initiated by Islamabad and Beijing. The building of the $62 billion economic corridor is a combination of building roads, rails, power plants and economic free zones in Pakistan. Thousands of Chinese are currently working on the CPEC project in Pakistan. When built, it will link Gwadar to Xinjiang region in China, through Khunjerab Pass, giving Beijing a secure and shortest trade access to international markets.

China accused of detaining Muslim women married to Pakistani men

The possible arrest of Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the chief of Jama&#39;at-ud-Da&#39;wah (JuD), was further stayed on Wednesday.

According to the Dawn, the Lahore High Court extended stay against the possible arrest of Saeed as law officers of the federal and provincial governments sought time to file their replies.

The court passed the stay order while hearing a petition filed by Saeed, in which he expressed fear of being arrested by the Pakistani government at the behest of the United States and India.

Justice Aminuddin Khan had on January 24 restrained the Ministry of Interior and the Punjab home department from taking any illegal action against Saeed.

The next hearing in the case will be on April 4.

Saeed&#39;s lawyer A.K. Dogar told the court that his client is an eminent social worker, who founded JuD and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and established 142 schools and three universities.

Dogar also informed the court that the Punjab Government had recently detained Saeed under the Maintenance of Public Order for 90 days, but was forced to free him after a review board comprising judges of the high court denied an application of the government to further extend the period of the JuD leader, said the Dawn report.

The report quoted lawyer as alleging that all the actions taken by the government against the petitioner had been on the pressure of the US and Indian lobby who for the last many years had been harbouring an unfounded assumption that Hafiz Saeed was somehow involved in Mumbai attacks.

He asked the court to restrain the government from taking any illegal action against the JuD leader.&nbsp;

The next hearing in the case will be on April 4

The possible arrest of Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the chief of Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD), was further stayed on Wednesday. According to the Dawn, the Lahore High Court extended stay against the possible arrest of Saeed as law officers of the federal and provincial governments sought time to file their replies. The court passed the stay order while hearing a petition filed by Saeed, in which he expressed fear of being arrested by the Pakistani government at the behest of the United States and India. Justice Aminuddin Khan had on January 24 restrained the Ministry of Interior and the Punjab home department from taking any illegal action against Saeed. The next hearing in the case will be on April 4. Saeed's lawyer A.K. Dogar told the court that his client is an eminent social worker, who founded JuD and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and established 142 schools and three universities. Dogar also informed the court that the Punjab Government had recently detained Saeed under the Maintenance of Public Order for 90 days, but was forced to free him after a review board comprising judges of the high court denied an application of the government to further extend the period of the JuD leader, said the Dawn report. The report quoted lawyer as alleging that all the actions taken by the government against the petitioner had been on the pressure of the US and Indian lobby who for the last many years had been harbouring an unfounded assumption that Hafiz Saeed was somehow involved in Mumbai attacks. He asked the court to restrain the government from taking any illegal action against the JuD leader.

Pakistan court extends stay against Hafiz Saeed's arrest

Slow internet speed is something we all dread. Don&rsquo;t we always look for reasonable speeds so that we can watch videos without any buffer and we can browse better and get a fast digital life? But sadly, when it comes to 4G speed, we in India are far away from what the world is experiencing. The 4G speed in India is not just poor, it&rsquo;s the slowest in the world. In fact, Pakistan offers better 4G speed than India.&nbsp;

A new report from the mobile analytics company Opensignal, &nbsp;reveals surprising results about the 4G trend in India and across the globe.

According to the Opensignal&#39;s report, 4G download speed in India happens to be the slowest across 88 countries.&nbsp;

The average 4G speed in India has been calculated at 6 Mbps. The actual experience, however, could be even lower.

In fact, people in Pakistan enjoy faster internet with an average 4G speed of 14 Mbps.

In fact, India scored a little better in November last year. But the rank has now gone down. In November, India was found to be offering an average 4G download speed of 6.13 Mbps, which has now declined to 6.07 Mbps.

&nbsp;It&rsquo;s just not India, other countries like Algeria, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand rank among the top 5 countries with slowest 4G speeds.

On the other hand, Singapore, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea and Hungary have been listed as top 5 countries that offer the fastest downloads on 4G.

Opensignal has found that in the fastest countries, the average LTE download speeds have got stalled at 45 Mbps. In other words, no country has yet been able to crack the 50 Mbps mark.

Top 5 countries with slowest 4g speeds

India: 6.07 Mbps 
Algeria: 8.65 Mbps 
Indonesia: 8.92 Mbps 
Philippines: 9.49 Mbps 
Thailand: 9.60 Mbps

Top 5 countries with fastest 4g speeds

Singapore: 44.31 Mbps 
Netherlands: 42.12 Mbps 
Norway: 41.20 Mbps 
South Korea: 40.44 Mbps 
Hungary: 39.18 Mbps

While India may be offering poor 4G speeds, but it is interesting to note that the country has a wide reach. 4G is available in India for around 86 per cent of the time people access the internet. But it&rsquo;s time to pull up the socks. It&rsquo;s time that India maintained a good balance between the reach and the speed. After all, 4G plays an instrumental role in making India a digital India.&nbsp;

Now that we know India has the slowest 4G speed in the world, it becomes important to understand the reasons behind such a poor performance. But before you hold telecom operators alone responsible for it, let&rsquo;s understand that there is more to than what meets the eye. There are a lot of factors that cause patchy connections and lead to substandard internet speeds in India.

There is a huge spike in data demand. Smartphones have redefined the way we use the internet. As a result, 4G networks are lacking the capacity to deliver faster connection speeds. In other words, companies have been failing to match the growing consumer demand.&nbsp;

It has been discovered that the telecom sector is in a deep financial mess. Mobile operators, therefore, seem to be slow in making investments and upgrading infrastructure. Telecom companies have been found to be facing problems in laying optical fibre that ensures high-speed connections. Also deploying new towers remains a challenge for operators.&nbsp;

Also, when it comes to the internet speed, the standard in India has been kept pretty low by the country&#39;s regulatory body. While TRAI is in the process of revising the speed by 4 times, the low benchmark is observed to be as another reason that is causing poor internet speeds in India.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The 4G speed in India is not just poor, it’s the slowest in the world.

Slow internet speed is something we all dread. Don’t we always look for reasonable speeds so that we can watch videos without any buffer and we can browse better and get a fast digital life? But sadly, when it comes to 4G speed, we in India are far away from what the world is experiencing. The 4G speed in India is not just poor, it’s the slowest in the world. In fact, Pakistan offers better 4G speed than India. A new report from the mobile analytics company Opensignal, reveals surprising results about the 4G trend in India and across the globe. According to the Opensignal's report, 4G download speed in India happens to be the slowest across 88 countries. The average 4G speed in India has been calculated at 6 Mbps. The actual experience, however, could be even lower. In fact, people in Pakistan enjoy faster internet with an average 4G speed of 14 Mbps. In fact, India scored a little better in November last year. But the rank has now gone down. In November, India was found to be offering an average 4G download speed of 6.13 Mbps, which has now declined to 6.07 Mbps. It’s just not India, other countries like Algeria, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand rank among the top 5 countries with slowest 4G speeds. On the other hand, Singapore, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea and Hungary have been listed as top 5 countries that offer the fastest downloads on 4G. Opensignal has found that in the fastest countries, the average LTE download speeds have got stalled at 45 Mbps. In other words, no country has yet been able to crack the 50 Mbps mark. Top 5 countries with slowest 4g speeds India: 6.07 Mbps Algeria: 8.65 Mbps Indonesia: 8.92 Mbps Philippines: 9.49 Mbps Thailand: 9.60 Mbps Top 5 countries with fastest 4g speeds Singapore: 44.31 Mbps Netherlands: 42.12 Mbps Norway: 41.20 Mbps South Korea: 40.44 Mbps Hungary: 39.18 Mbps While India may be offering poor 4G speeds, but it is interesting to note that the country has a wide reach. 4G is available in India for around 86 per cent of the time people access the internet. But it’s time to pull up the socks. It’s time that India maintained a good balance between the reach and the speed. After all, 4G plays an instrumental role in making India a digital India. Now that we know India has the slowest 4G speed in the world, it becomes important to understand the reasons behind such a poor performance. But before you hold telecom operators alone responsible for it, let’s understand that there is more to than what meets the eye. There are a lot of factors that cause patchy connections and lead to substandard internet speeds in India. There is a huge spike in data demand. Smartphones have redefined the way we use the internet. As a result, 4G networks are lacking the capacity to deliver faster connection speeds. In other words, companies have been failing to match the growing consumer demand. It has been discovered that the telecom sector is in a deep financial mess. Mobile operators, therefore, seem to be slow in making investments and upgrading infrastructure. Telecom companies have been found to be facing problems in laying optical fibre that ensures high-speed connections. Also deploying new towers remains a challenge for operators. Also, when it comes to the internet speed, the standard in India has been kept pretty low by the country's regulatory body. While TRAI is in the process of revising the speed by 4 times, the low benchmark is observed to be as another reason that is causing poor internet speeds in India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why India has slower Internet speed than Pakistan

The Free Karachi campaign continues to draw attention to the cause of ethnic Mohajirs in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The campaign aims at bringing to spotlight the atrocities against Mohajirs in Pakistan. The movement came into existence after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Hasan Zafar Arif was found dead in a car in Karachi&#39;s Ilyas Goth area earlier this year.&nbsp;

In this latest phase of the campaign, digital ads are appearing on the official website of a leading newspaper of the United States, New York Times, highlighting the Mohajir issue.

The online advertisements urge the Trump administration to stop military and financial aid to Pakistan alleging that its military establishments commit atrocities against Mohajirs and provide safe havens to extremist terror entities in the country.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/free-karachi-campaign-launches-its-second-phase-in-washington-31813">&#39;Free Karachi&#39; campaign launches its second phase in Washington</a>

The New York Times is expected to run the Free Karachi campaign ads for at least two weeks. The digital advertisements will briefly explain the alleged injustice meted out to the urban population in Sindh, Mohajirs in particular.&nbsp;

The &#39;Free Karachi&#39; campaign started in Washington, DC, on January 15 this year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

A large number of taxis, displaying &#39;Free Karachi from state atrocities of Pakistan&#39; banners, had participated in the annual MLK Day parade.

Digital ads of &#39;Free Karachi&#39; ran on the Washington Times website, urging the US administration and world community to save Mohajirs in Pakistan.

(With inputs from ANI)

The online advertisements urge the Trump administration to stop military and financial aid to Pakistan

The Free Karachi campaign continues to draw attention to the cause of ethnic Mohajirs in Pakistan. The campaign aims at bringing to spotlight the atrocities against Mohajirs in Pakistan. The movement came into existence after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Hasan Zafar Arif was found dead in a car in Karachi's Ilyas Goth area earlier this year. In this latest phase of the campaign, digital ads are appearing on the official website of a leading newspaper of the United States, New York Times, highlighting the Mohajir issue. The online advertisements urge the Trump administration to stop military and financial aid to Pakistan alleging that its military establishments commit atrocities against Mohajirs and provide safe havens to extremist terror entities in the country. Also read: 'Free Karachi' campaign launches its second phase in Washington The New York Times is expected to run the Free Karachi campaign ads for at least two weeks. The digital advertisements will briefly explain the alleged injustice meted out to the urban population in Sindh, Mohajirs in particular. The 'Free Karachi' campaign started in Washington, DC, on January 15 this year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A large number of taxis, displaying 'Free Karachi from state atrocities of Pakistan' banners, had participated in the annual MLK Day parade. Digital ads of 'Free Karachi' ran on the Washington Times website, urging the US administration and world community to save Mohajirs in Pakistan. (With inputs from ANI)

Leading US daily runs 'Free Karachi' campaign advertisements

Hairdressers in Pakistan&#39;s conservative northwest have announced a ban in their shops on &quot;fashionable&quot; beards, saying trendy facial hair violates Islamic law.

The decision affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province echoes a similar ban introduced there more than a decade ago after militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban threatened barbers with dire consequences for trimming beards.

&quot;Creating different beard designs is against the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed,&quot; Sulemani Hairdressers Association president Sharif Kahlu told a press conference in the provincial capital Peshawar on Monday.

He said tens of thousands of barbers, all members of his association, have promised to abide by the decision and notices would be pasted in shops throughout the province informing customers.&nbsp;

Different Muslim sects adhere to different beard shapes and lengths, but the most generally accepted &quot;Islamic&quot; beard is one that is long enough to be visible from a certain distance, but not longer than a fistful of hair.

Kahlu strongly denied any pressure on his association from any militant organisation, calling the move &quot;a decision of our conscience&quot;.

&quot;We met local administrations of all the major cities and districts in the province and they assured us of their full cooperation but refused to issue any directive to make this decision official,&quot; he said.

He said there were several shops in the province, which were not members of the association. &quot;We will try and convince them to implement the decision but will not force them at all.&quot;

Militants attacked many barber shops and saloons in the province a decade ago, calling the shaving of beards un-Islamic.

In recent years men in Pakistan&#39;s major cities like Karachi and Lahore have become more metrosexual, with the growing middle class taking advantage of a trend in male beauty salons to be selfie-ready at any time.

In recent years, men in Pakistan’s major cities like Karachi and Lahore have become more metrosexual, with the growing middle class taking advantage of a trend in male beauty salons to be selfie-ready at any time

Hairdressers in Pakistan's conservative northwest have announced a ban in their shops on "fashionable" beards, saying trendy facial hair violates Islamic law. The decision affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province echoes a similar ban introduced there more than a decade ago after militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban threatened barbers with dire consequences for trimming beards. "Creating different beard designs is against the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed," Sulemani Hairdressers Association president Sharif Kahlu told a press conference in the provincial capital Peshawar on Monday. He said tens of thousands of barbers, all members of his association, have promised to abide by the decision and notices would be pasted in shops throughout the province informing customers. Different Muslim sects adhere to different beard shapes and lengths, but the most generally accepted "Islamic" beard is one that is long enough to be visible from a certain distance, but not longer than a fistful of hair. Kahlu strongly denied any pressure on his association from any militant organisation, calling the move "a decision of our conscience". "We met local administrations of all the major cities and districts in the province and they assured us of their full cooperation but refused to issue any directive to make this decision official," he said. He said there were several shops in the province, which were not members of the association. "We will try and convince them to implement the decision but will not force them at all." Militants attacked many barber shops and saloons in the province a decade ago, calling the shaving of beards un-Islamic. In recent years men in Pakistan's major cities like Karachi and Lahore have become more metrosexual, with the growing middle class taking advantage of a trend in male beauty salons to be selfie-ready at any time.

Barbers ban 'fashionable' beards in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and other leaders of the JuD and the FIF are still freely using the banned groups&#39; offices despite Pakistan&#39;s claims that all the assets of the two outfits have been seized and their bank accounts frozen, an official said on Tuesday.

The government last month had taken over the Jamaat-ud-Dawa&#39;s famous Muridke Markaz and Lahore&#39;s headquarters of Masjid Al Qadsia in Chauburji. But on ground neither Saeed and his supporters left the JuD&#39;s Chauburji headquarters nor that of Muridke and other offices of JuD and the Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) in the country.

&quot;Since the government has taken over the control of JuD headquarters in Lahore in mid last month, Saeed delivered three Friday sermons in three successive weeks there in the presence of a large number of his supporters. The government could only deploy its administrator at Al Qadsia while the JuD men are operating from there the way they used to,&quot; an official of the Punjab government said on Tuesday.

A similar arrangement was made at JuD&#39;s Muridke headquarters, he added.

&quot;The government has not barred Saeed and activists of his charities from using the JuD headquarters in Lahore and Muridke, and other offices of the two organisations,&quot; he said.

The government had initiated action against Saeed&#39;s organisations in pursuance of an ordinance issued by President Mamnoon Hussain in February amending the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, and allowing the state to proscribe UNSC-listed organisations, some of which had been exempt from prosecution.&nbsp;

The move had also come in the backdrop of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental money-laundering watchdog, that put Pakistan on a grey list.

At the FATF meeting in Paris last month, Saeed and his &quot;charities&quot; were top on the list of the groups that the FATF wanted Pakistan to act against.

Pakistan last week vowed to take further actions to address certain &quot;deficiencies&quot; highlighted by the FATF in its anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing framework.&nbsp;

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said the officials from various government departments had been appointed as administrators of JuD&#39;s offices to oversee the working of welfare-oriented facilities like dispensaries and schools.&nbsp;

To a question about as why the JuD leadership including Saeed had not been stopped using the JuD headquarters in Lahore and Muridke, the minister said: &quot;We have taken over all JuD and FIF facilities including schools, dispensaries, offices and seminaries. These are now in the government&#39;s control.&quot;

Another official said that the government at this stage does not want to stop Saeed and other JuD leaders from using its main headquarters as it may lead to a clash between them.&nbsp;

The government last month had taken over JuD's famous Muridke headquarters.

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and other leaders of the JuD and the FIF are still freely using the banned groups' offices despite Pakistan's claims that all the assets of the two outfits have been seized and their bank accounts frozen, an official said on Tuesday. The government last month had taken over the Jamaat-ud-Dawa's famous Muridke Markaz and Lahore's headquarters of Masjid Al Qadsia in Chauburji. But on ground neither Saeed and his supporters left the JuD's Chauburji headquarters nor that of Muridke and other offices of JuD and the Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) in the country. "Since the government has taken over the control of JuD headquarters in Lahore in mid last month, Saeed delivered three Friday sermons in three successive weeks there in the presence of a large number of his supporters. The government could only deploy its administrator at Al Qadsia while the JuD men are operating from there the way they used to," an official of the Punjab government said on Tuesday. A similar arrangement was made at JuD's Muridke headquarters, he added. "The government has not barred Saeed and activists of his charities from using the JuD headquarters in Lahore and Muridke, and other offices of the two organisations," he said. The government had initiated action against Saeed's organisations in pursuance of an ordinance issued by President Mamnoon Hussain in February amending the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, and allowing the state to proscribe UNSC-listed organisations, some of which had been exempt from prosecution. The move had also come in the backdrop of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental money-laundering watchdog, that put Pakistan on a grey list. At the FATF meeting in Paris last month, Saeed and his "charities" were top on the list of the groups that the FATF wanted Pakistan to act against. Pakistan last week vowed to take further actions to address certain "deficiencies" highlighted by the FATF in its anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing framework. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said the officials from various government departments had been appointed as administrators of JuD's offices to oversee the working of welfare-oriented facilities like dispensaries and schools. To a question about as why the JuD leadership including Saeed had not been stopped using the JuD headquarters in Lahore and Muridke, the minister said: "We have taken over all JuD and FIF facilities including schools, dispensaries, offices and seminaries. These are now in the government's control." Another official said that the government at this stage does not want to stop Saeed and other JuD leaders from using its main headquarters as it may lead to a clash between them.

Hafiz Saeed, other JuD leaders still freely using group's offices despite ban in Pakistan

Although China Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC, is being seen by Pakistan as a game changer in terms of development and infrastructure, the highly touted China-backed project could also turn unsustainable.&nbsp;

An NGO in Pakistan has declared 36 Glaciers dangerous for the environment in Gilgit Pakistan area. According to the NGO officials, the glaciers here are melting at a faster rate posing a serious threat to the locals living in the area. The cause of glacier-melting is not global warming but the launch of the &quot;Economic corridor&quot; that is being co-developed by Pakistan and China.

The Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan has reportedly been facing several climatic threats since the launch of the CPEC. The multi-billion dollar developmental and infrastructure project is vital to China&#39;s road development plan. &nbsp;

The 3000-km long, 62 billion dollar corridor runs from Kashgar in West China traversing through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, plains and desserts to reach Gwadar, Pakistan on the shores of the Arabian sea.

China is reported to have been building various infrastructure projects including road and railway networks and power plants in Pakistan with over 30,000 Pakistanis employed on various corridor projects.&nbsp;

Pakstan&#39;s Gilgit-Baltistan enjoys high mountainous range, splendid glaciers and magnificent valleys. The region plays an important role in hydro-power generation.&nbsp;

The China-backed project is now raising the possibility of irrecoverable damage to the area as trees are being cut and farmlands are taken over to undertake construction work.&nbsp;

Pakistan needs to work closely with the government of China to ensure that the construction work does not affect the environment or displace the locals.&nbsp;

A WION report

China is reported to have been building various infrastructure projects including road and railway networks and power plants in Pakistan with over 30,000 Pakistanis employed

Although China Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC, is being seen by Pakistan as a game changer in terms of development and infrastructure, the highly touted China-backed project could also turn unsustainable. An NGO in Pakistan has declared 36 Glaciers dangerous for the environment in Gilgit Pakistan area. According to the NGO officials, the glaciers here are melting at a faster rate posing a serious threat to the locals living in the area. The cause of glacier-melting is not global warming but the launch of the "Economic corridor" that is being co-developed by Pakistan and China. The Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan has reportedly been facing several climatic threats since the launch of the CPEC. The multi-billion dollar developmental and infrastructure project is vital to China's road development plan. The 3000-km long, 62 billion dollar corridor runs from Kashgar in West China traversing through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, plains and desserts to reach Gwadar, Pakistan on the shores of the Arabian sea. China is reported to have been building various infrastructure projects including road and railway networks and power plants in Pakistan with over 30,000 Pakistanis employed on various corridor projects. Pakstan's Gilgit-Baltistan enjoys high mountainous range, splendid glaciers and magnificent valleys. The region plays an important role in hydro-power generation. The China-backed project is now raising the possibility of irrecoverable damage to the area as trees are being cut and farmlands are taken over to undertake construction work. Pakistan needs to work closely with the government of China to ensure that the construction work does not affect the environment or displace the locals. A WION report

Watch: How China's project is damaging environment in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Monday announced he would contest the upcoming general election from Karachi.

While addressing a gathering in city&rsquo;s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area, Khan said Karachi was the city people would come to spend their vacations But over the years it has been abandoned by political parties.

He said that Karachi used to run the entire system of the country, adding that the division caused Karachi a lot of damage.&nbsp;

He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the highest rate of terrorism but today it was a peaceful province.

&quot;Mafias prevail in this city. The tanker mafia for example - citizens do not have access to water because of it... The Rangers have been posted in the city because [political parties have] ruined the police,&quot; Khan said.

The PTI chief further stressed the need to elect a mayor who has administrative powers and financial resources to deal with the challenges being faced by the city.&nbsp;

He promised that if he came to power, his party would bring in a directly elected mayor who would solve Karachi&#39;s problems with his team of experts.

He was addressing a gathering in city’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Monday announced he would contest the upcoming general election from Karachi. While addressing a gathering in city’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area, Khan said Karachi was the city people would come to spend their vacations But over the years it has been abandoned by political parties. He said that Karachi used to run the entire system of the country, adding that the division caused Karachi a lot of damage. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the highest rate of terrorism but today it was a peaceful province. "Mafias prevail in this city. The tanker mafia for example - citizens do not have access to water because of it... The Rangers have been posted in the city because [political parties have] ruined the police," Khan said. The PTI chief further stressed the need to elect a mayor who has administrative powers and financial resources to deal with the challenges being faced by the city. He promised that if he came to power, his party would bring in a directly elected mayor who would solve Karachi's problems with his team of experts.

Imran Khan to contest 2018 general elections from Karachi

The Pentagon on Sunday reminded Pakistan that the war on terrorism in the South Asian region reached an &quot;inflection point&quot; and that the country should take the opportunity to tackle and defeat terrorists, as the United States and Pakistan aim&nbsp;to improve their souring ties.

&quot;With respect to Pakistan, we believe that Pakistan can do more to combat terrorism,&quot; Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said at a weekend news briefing in Washington D.C.

&quot;This is an inflection point and this is an opportunity and Pakistan has an opportunity to do more. They&#39;ve been victims of terrorism. So, we&#39;ll look forward to continuing to work with them to see where there are opportunities,&quot; she added.

The Pentagon chief spokesperson also welcomed Pakistan&#39;s support of Afghanistan&#39;s latest peace offer to the Taliban in the Kabul Process Conference in Kabul last week.

Giving a stern warning to the Taliban, White said that the militant group had to abandon the path of terrorism and violence and support the Afghan peace offer.

She also noted that the United States continues to consult New Delhi, not only about &quot;India&#39;s very important role&quot; in Afghanistan but also on other issues that go beyond the South Asian region, The Dawn reported.

The briefing comes after Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua&#39;s will start her two-day visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, which is aimed at defusing the tensions between the US and Pakistan and finding a &quot;common ground&quot;.

On Sunday, official sources confirmed that Janjua will have a series of meetings at the White House and the US State Department and will also address think-tank experts at the US Institute of Peace during her visit.

At the White House, Janjua is likely to meet with Lisa Curtis, the US National Security Council&#39;s senior director for South and Central Asia.

Curtis arrived in Islamabad last week and held talks with Janjua and Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on overall ties between the two countries.

Both sides called for the developing of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and stressed on measures needed to stop human trafficking in the region.

Curtis also visited Islamabad in October last year and met with various Pakistani officials. Both sides had agreed to the common objective of eliminating terrorism.

She held meetings with Janjua and Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.&nbsp;

The statement came as the US and Pakistan aim to improve their souring ties

The Pentagon on Sunday reminded Pakistan that the war on terrorism in the South Asian region reached an "inflection point" and that the country should take the opportunity to tackle and defeat terrorists, as the United States and Pakistan aim to improve their souring ties. "With respect to Pakistan, we believe that Pakistan can do more to combat terrorism," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said at a weekend news briefing in Washington D.C. "This is an inflection point and this is an opportunity and Pakistan has an opportunity to do more. They've been victims of terrorism. So, we'll look forward to continuing to work with them to see where there are opportunities," she added. The Pentagon chief spokesperson also welcomed Pakistan's support of Afghanistan's latest peace offer to the Taliban in the Kabul Process Conference in Kabul last week. Giving a stern warning to the Taliban, White said that the militant group had to abandon the path of terrorism and violence and support the Afghan peace offer. She also noted that the United States continues to consult New Delhi, not only about "India's very important role" in Afghanistan but also on other issues that go beyond the South Asian region, The Dawn reported. The briefing comes after Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua's will start her two-day visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, which is aimed at defusing the tensions between the US and Pakistan and finding a "common ground". On Sunday, official sources confirmed that Janjua will have a series of meetings at the White House and the US State Department and will also address think-tank experts at the US Institute of Peace during her visit. At the White House, Janjua is likely to meet with Lisa Curtis, the US National Security Council's senior director for South and Central Asia. Curtis arrived in Islamabad last week and held talks with Janjua and Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on overall ties between the two countries. Both sides called for the developing of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and stressed on measures needed to stop human trafficking in the region. Curtis also visited Islamabad in October last year and met with various Pakistani officials. Both sides had agreed to the common objective of eliminating terrorism. She held meetings with Janjua and Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Pentagon reminds Pak on terrorism, urges to tackle it

Krishna Kumari Kolhi from Pakistan&#39;s Sindh province has become the first-ever Hindu Dalit woman Senator in the Muslim-majority country, the Pakistan People&#39;s Party has said.

Kolhi, 39, from Thar, is a member of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led Pakistan People&#39;s Party (PPP).

She was elected Senator on a minority seat from Sindh. The PPP awarded her the Senate ticket, it said.

Her election represents a major milestone for women and minority rights in Pakistan. Earlier, PPP had elected first Hindu woman named Ratna Bhagwandas Chawla as a senator. 
Kolhi belongs to a remote village in Nagarparkar district of Thar in Sindh province.

Born to a poor peasant, Jugno Kolhi, in February 1979, Kolhi and her family members spent nearly three years in a private jail owned by the landlord of Kunri of Umerkot district. She was a grade 3 student at the time when held captive.

She was married to Lalchand at the age of 16 when she was studying in 9th grade. However, she pursued her studies and in 2013 she did masters in sociology from the Sindh University. 
She had joined the PPP as a social activist along with her brother, who was later elected as Chairman of Union Council Berano.

Kolhi also actively participated and worked for the rights of downtrodden people of marginalised communities living in Thar and other areas.

She is from the family of the valiant freedom fighter Rooplo Kolhi, who had waged a war against the invading British colonialist forces when they had attacked Sindh from Nagarparkar side in 1857.&nbsp;

Subsequently, he was arrested and hanged by the Britishers on August 22, 1858.

Pakistan&#39;s ruling PML-N of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday won 15 seats in Senate and became the largest party in the upper house of Parliament, according to the provisional results.

Provincial and federal lawmakers voted to elect 52 Senators in the Senate elections, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Twelve seats each from Punjab and Sindh, 11 each from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, four from tribal region and two from federal capital territory were up for grab due to the retirement of 52 senators this month.

More than 130 candidates, including those nominated by political parties and independent candidates, were in the contest.

Krishna Kolhi, 39, from Thar is a member of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led Pakistan People's Party (PPP)

Krishna Kumari Kolhi from Pakistan's Sindh province has become the first-ever Hindu Dalit woman Senator in the Muslim-majority country, the Pakistan People's Party has said. Kolhi, 39, from Thar, is a member of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led Pakistan People's Party (PPP). She was elected Senator on a minority seat from Sindh. The PPP awarded her the Senate ticket, it said. Her election represents a major milestone for women and minority rights in Pakistan. Earlier, PPP had elected first Hindu woman named Ratna Bhagwandas Chawla as a senator. Kolhi belongs to a remote village in Nagarparkar district of Thar in Sindh province. Born to a poor peasant, Jugno Kolhi, in February 1979, Kolhi and her family members spent nearly three years in a private jail owned by the landlord of Kunri of Umerkot district. She was a grade 3 student at the time when held captive. She was married to Lalchand at the age of 16 when she was studying in 9th grade. However, she pursued her studies and in 2013 she did masters in sociology from the Sindh University. She had joined the PPP as a social activist along with her brother, who was later elected as Chairman of Union Council Berano. Kolhi also actively participated and worked for the rights of downtrodden people of marginalised communities living in Thar and other areas. She is from the family of the valiant freedom fighter Rooplo Kolhi, who had waged a war against the invading British colonialist forces when they had attacked Sindh from Nagarparkar side in 1857. Subsequently, he was arrested and hanged by the Britishers on August 22, 1858. Pakistan's ruling PML-N of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday won 15 seats in Senate and became the largest party in the upper house of Parliament, according to the provisional results. Provincial and federal lawmakers voted to elect 52 Senators in the Senate elections, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Twelve seats each from Punjab and Sindh, 11 each from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, four from tribal region and two from federal capital territory were up for grab due to the retirement of 52 senators this month. More than 130 candidates, including those nominated by political parties and independent candidates, were in the contest.

Once a bonded labourer, Krishna Kumari Kolhi is now Pakistan's first Dalit Hindu woman senator

&nbsp;A survey conducted by a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/anti-pakistan-protests-erupt-across-pok-gilgit-baltistan-6192" target="_blank">Pakistan</a> based NGO has declared 36 glacial lakes in various valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan as dangerous.

The survey added&nbsp;that seven of the glacial lakes pose&nbsp;a major threat to the people.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/members-of-baloch-and-sindhi-community-protest-against-pakistan-in-london-26418" target="_blank">Members of Baloch and Sindhi community protest against Pakistan in London</a>

After the survey experts attending a seminar in Islamabad also said that&nbsp;Gilgit-Baltistan is highly vulnerable to climate change.

&quot;The Khurdopin Glacier has touched the mountain which has formed a small lake. The lake is frozen at the moment, but from March onward, when the ice starts melting, the flow of water would be intense. We are not predicting immense damage, but footbridges and Shimshal Valley, which is very narrow in nature; the road there might get affected, said Dr. Nazeer Ahmed.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-pakistan-supports-kashmirs-aazadi-and-not-that-of-pok-26042" target="_blank">Opinion: Why Pakistan supports Kashmir&#39;s </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-pakistan-supports-kashmirs-aazadi-and-not-that-of-pok-26042" target="_blank">aazadi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-pakistan-supports-kashmirs-aazadi-and-not-that-of-pok-26042" target="_blank"> and not that of PoK</a>

Officials from Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, who were present during the seminar, are looking for measures&nbsp;to protect villagers during any disaster.

Gilgit-Baltistan, part of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir, is under the occupation of Pakistan since 1947.

Ever since its occupation, the region has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-expresses-concern-over-human-rights-situation-in-pakistan-controlled-kashmir-5456" target="_blank">misruled by Pakistan</a>.

The people from the region have been staging a frequent protest demanding basic rights for themselves and against the Pakistan government&#39;s oppression and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gilgit-baltistan-mounts-voice-against-illegal-taxation-25730" target="_blank">illegal taxation</a>.

The entrance of China in Gilgit Baltistan has added to the suffering of the local people.

The people also claim that the region&#39;s resources are not utilised for their use.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
36 glacial lakes in various valleys of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GilgitBaltistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GilgitBaltistan</a> declared dangerous due to melting, at least seven of them pose a threat to locals, says survey by a Pakistan based NGO. The region has been facing environmental issues since launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CPEC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CPEC</a>) <a href="https://t.co/gJHPYChJ67">pic.twitter.com/gJHPYChJ67</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/970131522786353154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from ANI)

 
&nbsp;

A survey conducted by a Pakistan based NGO has declared 36 glacial lakes in various valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan as dangerous. The survey added that seven of the glacial lakes pose a major threat to the people

A survey conducted by a Pakistan based NGO has declared 36 glacial lakes in various valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan as dangerous. The survey added that seven of the glacial lakes pose a major threat to the people. Also read: Members of Baloch and Sindhi community protest against Pakistan in London After the survey experts attending a seminar in Islamabad also said that Gilgit-Baltistan is highly vulnerable to climate change. "The Khurdopin Glacier has touched the mountain which has formed a small lake. The lake is frozen at the moment, but from March onward, when the ice starts melting, the flow of water would be intense. We are not predicting immense damage, but footbridges and Shimshal Valley, which is very narrow in nature; the road there might get affected, said Dr. Nazeer Ahmed. Also read: Opinion: Why Pakistan supports Kashmir's aazadi and not that of PoK Officials from Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, who were present during the seminar, are looking for measures to protect villagers during any disaster. Gilgit-Baltistan, part of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir, is under the occupation of Pakistan since 1947. Ever since its occupation, the region has been misruled by Pakistan. The people from the region have been staging a frequent protest demanding basic rights for themselves and against the Pakistan government's oppression and illegal taxation. The entrance of China in Gilgit Baltistan has added to the suffering of the local people. The people also claim that the region's resources are not utilised for their use. 36 glacial lakes in various valleys of #GilgitBaltistan declared dangerous due to melting, at least seven of them pose a threat to locals, says survey by a Pakistan based NGO. The region has been facing environmental issues since launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (#CPEC) pic.twitter.com/gJHPYChJ67 — ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2018 × (With inputs from ANI)

36 glacial lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan turns dangerous due to CPEC: Survey

Inciting yet another controversy, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah did not want a separate country for Muslims.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-never-mind-raising-tricolour-in-pok-first-raise-it-in-srinagar-says-farooq-abdullah-6982" target="_blank">Watch: Never mind raising </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-never-mind-raising-tricolour-in-pok-first-raise-it-in-srinagar-says-farooq-abdullah-6982" target="_blank">tricolour</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-never-mind-raising-tricolour-in-pok-first-raise-it-in-srinagar-says-farooq-abdullah-6982" target="_blank"> in PoK, first raise it in Srinagar, says Farooq Abdullah</a>

He said that the need for a separate country emerged after Indian leaders refused to accept minority status for Muslims and Sikh in the country.&nbsp;

Abdullah&nbsp;said it was because of the refusal of political leaders Jawaharlal&nbsp; Nehru, Maulana Azad and Sardar Patel that Jinnah demanded Pakistan.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/farooq-trying-to-push-country-into-communalism-bjp-24564" target="_blank">Farooq trying to push </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/farooq-trying-to-push-country-into-communalism-bjp-24564" target="_blank">country</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/farooq-trying-to-push-country-into-communalism-bjp-24564" target="_blank"> into communalism: BJP</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-enemy-is-not-across-border-but-among-ourselves-national-conference-chief-farooq-abdullah-29509" target="_blank">&#39;Our enemy is not across </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-enemy-is-not-across-border-but-among-ourselves-national-conference-chief-farooq-abdullah-29509" target="_blank">border</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-enemy-is-not-across-border-but-among-ourselves-national-conference-chief-farooq-abdullah-29509" target="_blank"> but among ourselves,&#39; says Farooq Abdullah&nbsp;</a>

He said &quot;Jinnah agreed but Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, and Sardar Patel did not agree. When this did not happen it was then that Jinnah demanded for Pakistan. Or else there would have been no separation. There would have been no Bangladesh, no Pakistan; there would have been one India,&quot;.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/you-have-made-one-pakistan-how-many-pakistans-will-you-make-how-many-pieces-will-you-cut-india-into-says-farooq-andullah-24514" target="_blank">&#39;How many Pakistans will you make&#39;, reiterates Farooq Abdullah</a>

(With inputs from ANI)

Abdullah said that the need for a separate country emerged after Indian leaders refused to accept minority status for Muslims and Sikh in the country

Inciting yet another controversy, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah did not want a separate country for Muslims. Watch: Never mind raising tricolour in PoK, first raise it in Srinagar, says Farooq Abdullah He said that the need for a separate country emerged after Indian leaders refused to accept minority status for Muslims and Sikh in the country. Abdullah said it was because of the refusal of political leaders Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad and Sardar Patel that Jinnah demanded Pakistan. Also read: Farooq trying to push country into communalism: BJP Also read: 'Our enemy is not across border but among ourselves,' says Farooq Abdullah He said "Jinnah agreed but Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, and Sardar Patel did not agree. When this did not happen it was then that Jinnah demanded for Pakistan. Or else there would have been no separation. There would have been no Bangladesh, no Pakistan; there would have been one India,". Also read: 'How many Pakistans will you make', reiterates Farooq Abdullah (With inputs from ANI)

Jinnah never wanted separate country: Farooq Abdullah

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Pakistan">Pakistan</a>-<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Joint%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20and%20Industry">Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Chairman">Chairman</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Zubair%20Motiwala">Zubair Motiwala</a>&nbsp;said that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Pakistan">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;has lost its 50 percent market share in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Kabul">Kabul</a>&nbsp;as India has succeeded to penetrate the market.

The Dawn quoted Motiwala, who recently visited&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Kabul">Kabul</a>, as saying that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Pakistan">Pakistan</a>&#39;s trade with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;fell to USD 1.2 billion from USD 2.7 billion within in the last two years and the country has been losing even the traditional markets of flour, men and women&#39;s clothes and red meat.

He further said that the main reason behind&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Pakistan">Pakistan</a>&#39;s downfall in Afghan market is India, which has been providing goods at subsidised rates to capture the market and are providing air tickets with a 75 percent rebate.

According to data given by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Pakistan">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;Bureau of Statistics, exports to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>dropped to USD 1.271 billion in Financial Year 2017 from USD 1.437 billion in Financial Year 2016. Exports in the first quarter of 2017-18 stood at USD 319 million.

Motiwala highlighted that &quot;Medical tourism of Peshawar, which was mainly due to Afghans, is now at zero level; hospitals in Hayatabad are empty&quot; as they now prefer India due to affordable treatments and concessions.&nbsp;

India has succeeded to penetrate the market.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Zubair Motiwala said that Pakistan has lost its 50 percent market share in Kabul as India has succeeded to penetrate the market. The Dawn quoted Motiwala, who recently visited Kabul, as saying that Pakistan's trade with Afghanistan fell to USD 1.2 billion from USD 2.7 billion within in the last two years and the country has been losing even the traditional markets of flour, men and women's clothes and red meat. He further said that the main reason behind Pakistan's downfall in Afghan market is India, which has been providing goods at subsidised rates to capture the market and are providing air tickets with a 75 percent rebate. According to data given by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, exports to Afghanistandropped to USD 1.271 billion in Financial Year 2017 from USD 1.437 billion in Financial Year 2016. Exports in the first quarter of 2017-18 stood at USD 319 million. Motiwala highlighted that "Medical tourism of Peshawar, which was mainly due to Afghans, is now at zero level; hospitals in Hayatabad are empty" as they now prefer India due to affordable treatments and concessions.

Afghans prefer India, Pakistan loses 50 per cent market share

Pakistani prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be on a two-day visit to Nepal from Monday, as part of the nation&#39;s &quot;pro-active and outreach efforts&quot; to engage with regional countries, its Foreign Office said on Sunday.

During the visit, the prime minister will convey felicitations to the Nepalese leadership on the successful conclusion of its democratic process, resulting in the formation of a new government, the Foreign Office said.

Abbasi will congratulate the newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and also call on Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, it said.

The visit will provide an opportunity to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest including trade, education, tourism, defence and people to people contacts, according to the Foreign Office.

It said ways of invigorating the South East Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an important regional organisation will also be discussed.

The Ambassador of Nepal, Sewa Lamsal Adhikari, called on the prime minister on Friday and conveyed the message of welcome from the Nepalese leadership to him.

She also discussed how to further strengthen bilateral relations.

&quot;Nepal is an important regional country and a close friend. Our ties with Nepal are characterised by cordiality, mutual respect and commonality of interests. Our support to each other at bilateral and multilateral fora has remained indispensable for both the sides,&quot; the Foreign Office said.

The visit will provide an opportunity to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest including trade, education, tourism, defence and people to people contacts, according to the Foreign Office

Pakistani prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be on a two-day visit to Nepal from Monday, as part of the nation's "pro-active and outreach efforts" to engage with regional countries, its Foreign Office said on Sunday. During the visit, the prime minister will convey felicitations to the Nepalese leadership on the successful conclusion of its democratic process, resulting in the formation of a new government, the Foreign Office said. Abbasi will congratulate the newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and also call on Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, it said. The visit will provide an opportunity to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest including trade, education, tourism, defence and people to people contacts, according to the Foreign Office. It said ways of invigorating the South East Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an important regional organisation will also be discussed. The Ambassador of Nepal, Sewa Lamsal Adhikari, called on the prime minister on Friday and conveyed the message of welcome from the Nepalese leadership to him. She also discussed how to further strengthen bilateral relations. "Nepal is an important regional country and a close friend. Our ties with Nepal are characterised by cordiality, mutual respect and commonality of interests. Our support to each other at bilateral and multilateral fora has remained indispensable for both the sides," the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on two-day visit to Nepal from tomorrow

A former Pakistani cricketer and a successful captain,&nbsp;Inzamam-ul-Haq turns 48 today.

Wishes and blessings pour in from every part of the world.

Inzamam-ul-Haq hails from Multan nicknamed Inzy by cricket fraternity. He is the leading run scorer for Pakistan in One-Day Internationals.

His powerful pulls and divine drives talk of his strength, style and calibre.

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120 Tests: 8,830 runs @ 49.60 
378 ODIs: 11,739 runs @ 39.52 
 
Happy Birthday to a true cricketing legend in Pakistan, <a href="https://twitter.com/InziTheLegend?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InziTheLegend</a>! <a href="https://t.co/H6C9or496C">pic.twitter.com/H6C9or496C</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/969814630183813120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Today birth day to me also
&mdash; Vijayakumar (@krishnamech1996) <a href="https://twitter.com/krishnamech1996/status/969837354532847618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Happy Birthday To You InZi Bhai<a href="https://twitter.com/InziTheLegend?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InziTheLegend</a> ❤ 
 
8,830 runs @ 49.60 in Tests ✅ 
11,739 runs @ 39.52 in ODIs ✅ 
????????&#39;s 3rd highest Test run-scorer ✅ 
Happy Birthday Legend Inzamam-ul-Haq! <a href="https://t.co/idnfNbswGw">pic.twitter.com/idnfNbswGw</a>
&mdash; MiR AfZal (@MiROfficial10) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiROfficial10/status/969882987776135170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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One of the cricket greats from Pakistan who appeared on to the scene with dazzling 37 ball 60 in 1992 <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketworldcup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cricketworldcup</a> Semi-Final. 
Most runs in ODIs for Pakistan and a member of Triple Century Club. Happy Birthday to the current Chief Selector of Pakistan, <a href="https://twitter.com/InziTheLegend?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InziTheLegend</a> <a href="https://t.co/sghRzepX9C">pic.twitter.com/sghRzepX9C</a>
&mdash; PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/969854982953545728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the year 2007, his tenure as captain ended after Pakistan&#39;s early exit from the 2007 World Cup. Then retired from international cricket in the same year.

In his cricketing career, he played 120 Tests and scored 8,830 runs and in 378 One-Day Internationals he scored 11,739 runs

After announcing&nbsp;retirement, he took over as Afghanistan&#39;s head coach in October 2015. As the Afghanistan coach, he helped a mediocre Afghan cricket team to win their first ODI and T20I series against a Full Member.

Blessed with a splendid physique of six-foot-three-inches, Inzamam has been known to be a very destructive batsman in both One Day Internationals and Test matches.

&nbsp;

Inzamam-ul-Haq hails from Multan nicknamed, Inzy by cricket fraternity. He is the leading run scorer for Pakistan in One-Day Internationals.

A former Pakistani cricketer and a successful captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq turns 48 today. Wishes and blessings pour in from every part of the world. Inzamam-ul-Haq hails from Multan nicknamed Inzy by cricket fraternity. He is the leading run scorer for Pakistan in One-Day Internationals. His powerful pulls and divine drives talk of his strength, style and calibre. 120 Tests: 8,830 runs @ 49.60 378 ODIs: 11,739 runs @ 39.52 Happy Birthday to a true cricketing legend in Pakistan, @InziTheLegend! pic.twitter.com/H6C9or496C — ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2018 × Today birth day to me also — Vijayakumar (@krishnamech1996) March 3, 2018 × Happy Birthday To You InZi Bhai@InziTheLegend ❤ 8,830 runs @ 49.60 in Tests ✅ 11,739 runs @ 39.52 in ODIs ✅ ????????'s 3rd highest Test run-scorer ✅ Happy Birthday Legend Inzamam-ul-Haq! pic.twitter.com/idnfNbswGw — MiR AfZal (@MiROfficial10) March 3, 2018 × One of the cricket greats from Pakistan who appeared on to the scene with dazzling 37 ball 60 in 1992 @cricketworldcup Semi-Final. Most runs in ODIs for Pakistan and a member of Triple Century Club. Happy Birthday to the current Chief Selector of Pakistan, @InziTheLegend pic.twitter.com/sghRzepX9C — PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) March 3, 2018 × In the year 2007, his tenure as captain ended after Pakistan's early exit from the 2007 World Cup. Then retired from international cricket in the same year. In his cricketing career, he played 120 Tests and scored 8,830 runs and in 378 One-Day Internationals he scored 11,739 runs After announcing retirement, he took over as Afghanistan's head coach in October 2015. As the Afghanistan coach, he helped a mediocre Afghan cricket team to win their first ODI and T20I series against a Full Member. Blessed with a splendid physique of six-foot-three-inches, Inzamam has been known to be a very destructive batsman in both One Day Internationals and Test matches.

Watch: Wishes pour in as Pakistani pride Inzy Bhai turns 48

Maulana Mohammad Abdul Aziz, a Pakistani cleric who has been world famous for his controversial remarks, recently made headlines owing to his belief of imposing Sharia all across the globe.&nbsp;

The 57-year-old cleric recently told Fox News that Pakistan is no more a destination, &quot;we will come out as a force to establish Islamic rule over the entire world&quot;.

Aziz also noted that he desires the complete imposition of Sharia within Pakistan and is ready to &quot;wage a war against the government&quot; to ensure that the same is achieved.&nbsp;

Aziz was once the head cleric of Islamabad&#39;s oldest mosque, the Lal Masjid.

Aziz is infamous for his inflammatory sermons, anti-American ideology, for sparking global jihadist movements and supporting designated terrorist groups. He once described Osama bin Laden as an &quot;Islamist warrior&quot;.&nbsp;

Aziz was once the head cleric of Islamabad's oldest mosque, the Lal Masjid

Maulana Mohammad Abdul Aziz, a Pakistani cleric who has been world famous for his controversial remarks, recently made headlines owing to his belief of imposing Sharia all across the globe. The 57-year-old cleric recently told Fox News that Pakistan is no more a destination, "we will come out as a force to establish Islamic rule over the entire world". Aziz also noted that he desires the complete imposition of Sharia within Pakistan and is ready to "wage a war against the government" to ensure that the same is achieved. Aziz was once the head cleric of Islamabad's oldest mosque, the Lal Masjid. Aziz is infamous for his inflammatory sermons, anti-American ideology, for sparking global jihadist movements and supporting designated terrorist groups. He once described Osama bin Laden as an "Islamist warrior".

Infamous Pakistani cleric Abdul Aziz vows to impose Sharia across the globe

Balochistan, recently in news for political unrest, witnessed the inauguration of a series of development projects yesterday. Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has assured to the people investment worth billions of rupees in the region.&nbsp; 
 
Accompanied by a whole slew of high-ranking government officials and ministers, Nawaz Sharif laid the stone for a local dam, a business complex, a university, and an economic free zone to be developed for the region. 
 
Considered as one of the remotest areas of Pakistan, these projects are meant to mainstream the region and bring about progress and prosperity for the people. 
 
Plans are afoot to complete the projects over the next couple of years; on completion, these projects will transform the city of Gwadar - located on the shores of the Arabian sea - into an international city with a world-class sea-port. 
 
Since 2015, Gwadar&rsquo;s strategic and economic significance has increased manifold with the opening of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 
 
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and China have signed a joint venture in infrastructure, power, and railways through which traffic from Gwadar will go to China and vice versa. 
 
To emphasise Gwadar&rsquo;s centrality to Pakistan, the prime minister quipped, &ldquo;Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar.&rdquo; 
 
In his inauguration speech, Sharif also paid tribute to the armed forces, security agencies, police, administration and other institutions who have &ldquo;sacrificed for peace in the country&rdquo;. He warned that terrorists are still running amok and have been making a last-ditch effort to strike at soft targets, but he expressed confidence that the terrorists will fail miserably in their nefarious designs. 
 
The development projects come with the promise of creating 50,000 jobs in the region. Sharif was particularly thankful to China - who he called a &ldquo;true friend&rdquo; for supporting and making development in the port city a success. 
 
Ambassador &nbsp;Sun Weidong of China said that he was pleased to partner the development of Gwadar and mentioned his country&#39;s support for construction of Gwadar Free Zone and handing over a school for the local people. 
 
While the Gwadar Free Zone will help attract investors, the new educational facilities, both the ambassador and the prime minister hoped, will enable the locals to play their role in national development. 
 
Like all acts of development, these projects in Balochistan fulfill crucial political-economic objectives. The proponents of development hope that the projects in bringing prosperity will stabilise the region and further economic goals of both Pakistan and China. 
 
(WION)

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently laid the stone for a few infrastructure projects to be developed for the region

Balochistan, recently in news for political unrest, witnessed the inauguration of a series of development projects yesterday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has assured to the people investment worth billions of rupees in the region. Accompanied by a whole slew of high-ranking government officials and ministers, Nawaz Sharif laid the stone for a local dam, a business complex, a university, and an economic free zone to be developed for the region. Considered as one of the remotest areas of Pakistan, these projects are meant to mainstream the region and bring about progress and prosperity for the people. Plans are afoot to complete the projects over the next couple of years; on completion, these projects will transform the city of Gwadar - located on the shores of the Arabian sea - into an international city with a world-class sea-port. Since 2015, Gwadar’s strategic and economic significance has increased manifold with the opening of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and China have signed a joint venture in infrastructure, power, and railways through which traffic from Gwadar will go to China and vice versa. To emphasise Gwadar’s centrality to Pakistan, the prime minister quipped, “Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar.” In his inauguration speech, Sharif also paid tribute to the armed forces, security agencies, police, administration and other institutions who have “sacrificed for peace in the country”. He warned that terrorists are still running amok and have been making a last-ditch effort to strike at soft targets, but he expressed confidence that the terrorists will fail miserably in their nefarious designs. The development projects come with the promise of creating 50,000 jobs in the region. Sharif was particularly thankful to China - who he called a “true friend” for supporting and making development in the port city a success. Ambassador Sun Weidong of China said that he was pleased to partner the development of Gwadar and mentioned his country's support for construction of Gwadar Free Zone and handing over a school for the local people. While the Gwadar Free Zone will help attract investors, the new educational facilities, both the ambassador and the prime minister hoped, will enable the locals to play their role in national development. Like all acts of development, these projects in Balochistan fulfill crucial political-economic objectives. The proponents of development hope that the projects in bringing prosperity will stabilise the region and further economic goals of both Pakistan and China. (WION)

Balochistan?s new development projects to counter unrest and create prosperity

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-cross-broder-firing-pakistan-summons-indias-deputy-high-commissioner-34495">Amid cross-border firing, Pakistan summons India&#39;s deputy high commissioner</a> 
Pakistan today summoned India&#39;s deputy high commissioner J P Singh for the second consecutive day over &nbsp;&quot;unprovoked firing by Indian troops&quot; along the Line of Control(LoC).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-police-question-netanyahu-in-telecoms-corruption-case-34500">Israeli police question Netanyahu in telecoms corruption case</a> 
Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday for the first time in a corruption case that involves the country&#39;s largest telecommunications company, Israel Radio said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-regime-must-be-held-accountable-for-ghouta-attacks-merkel-trump-34497">Syrian regime must be held accountable for Ghouta attacks: Merkel, Trump</a> 
The two leaders noted on Friday that Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime must be held accountable for the humanitarian crisis in the rebel-held enclave

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ranveer-singh-is-killing-it-with-pharrell-williams-at-his-holi-party-we-have-proof-34496">Ranveer Singh is killing it with Pharrell Williams at his Holi party, we have proof!</a> 
Ranveer Singh had earlier shared a photo on Instagram that read: &#39;Join Pharrell in India. Streaming live from the Holi festival hosted by Ranveer Singh&#39;. The post goes on to reveal that the party will take place on March 2, 2018, starting from 6 pm and the best part if you have noticed, is that it be live for all of us to watch!

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-pak-boys-yorkers-impresses-wasim-akram-video-goes-viral-34502">Watch: &#39;Who is this boy,&#39; asks Wasim Akram, video goes viral</a> 
The boy with left-handed bowling action is seen in the video bowling with such pace and venom that even Pakistani bowling legend Wasim Akram couldn&#39;t resist

Amid cross-border firing, Pakistan summons India's deputy high commissioner Pakistan today summoned India's deputy high commissioner J P Singh for the second consecutive day over "unprovoked firing by Indian troops" along the Line of Control(LoC). Israeli police question Netanyahu in telecoms corruption case Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday for the first time in a corruption case that involves the country's largest telecommunications company, Israel Radio said. Syrian regime must be held accountable for Ghouta attacks: Merkel, Trump The two leaders noted on Friday that Bashar al-Assad's regime must be held accountable for the humanitarian crisis in the rebel-held enclave Ranveer Singh is killing it with Pharrell Williams at his Holi party, we have proof! Ranveer Singh had earlier shared a photo on Instagram that read: 'Join Pharrell in India. Streaming live from the Holi festival hosted by Ranveer Singh'. The post goes on to reveal that the party will take place on March 2, 2018, starting from 6 pm and the best part if you have noticed, is that it be live for all of us to watch! Watch: 'Who is this boy,' asks Wasim Akram, video goes viral The boy with left-handed bowling action is seen in the video bowling with such pace and venom that even Pakistani bowling legend Wasim Akram couldn't resist

WION Evening News Brief, March 2, 2018

The talks of extension of Chinese president Xi Jinping&rsquo;s tenure beyond the stipulated limit of two terms as per their 1982 constitution is generating reasonable interest in the diplomatic circles. We Indians, from an open democracy with no such restrictions, have no case to comment on the political philosophies, structures and processes that China wants to adopt. It is purely their call, albeit it has exposed an inherent flaw in their constitutional design.

The sensibility of this proposed change is under scrutiny as President Xi is currently the head of all three apex level decision making bodies, including the communist party, national people&rsquo;s congress and the military commission. In absence of political opposition in the one-party political system, a division of power amongst these three institutions has some modicum of conceptual debate on national issues, if not an elbow space for a &nbsp;dissent in a communist structure. With the proposed changes, however, the possibility of prompting by the all-powerful president himself cannot be ruled out. The change is symbolic of giving higher credence to a perceived successful personality over the proven institutional strength of existing governance structures.

What concerns the international community most are the political connotations; China is seen as transitioning to quasi-dictatorial political structures. There are fair chances of enhanced political hubris of China in the absence of internal political opposition. This can get worse with President Xi&rsquo;s penchant for the conduct of aggressive diplomacy as observed so far.&nbsp;

Closer home, one cannot forget the Chinese duplicity and high handedness in orchestrating a major incursion across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) into Indian territory while President Xi was on a state visit to India, conveying a coercive politico- military message. Soon, thereafter, the Doklam happened as a sequel. The timings of the Doklam face-off was apparently linked to the domestic political compulsion of President Xi who intended to showcase his firm handling of territorial issues with an aim of enhancing his central position in Chinese polity in the forthcoming 19th Congress meet and the 90th anniversary of PLA.&nbsp;

However, the Chinese bluff was exposed with firm political handling and Indian military resolve. A repeat of such military incursions cannot be ruled out in the future once Xi is firmly in the saddle for a longer tenure. Open threats of using military force and anti-India rhetoric from their foreign office on trivial issues are part of Chinese psychological warfare to keep India on the back foot.&nbsp;

Looking at the pattern of political aggressiveness during his tenure so far, Xi seems to have used anti-India quotient in a deft manner, thereby, rallying national sentiments in his favour besides similar other international politically significant initiatives with military signatures.&nbsp;

It also appears that China is getting worried due to the refusal of India to join CPEC bandwagon which is the key to its success, their biggest political investment in recent times. Fearing an adverse impact on their politico-economic ambitions, they seem to be desperate to tame India through a show of force, a sure shot recipe in their medieval mindset. &nbsp;Whereas, with the increased political clout and strategic pull of India as well as with the help from the US has put the Chinese under pressure to introspect their conduct. &nbsp;

Chinese stand down from supporting Pakistan in FAFT and their reported outreach to the ASEAN countries in working out a code of conduct in the South China Sea are indicative of scaling down of their obstinate political posturing. These changes are due to their political compulsions to push through their national agenda as of now. However, their underlying confrontationist tendencies are likely to continue under Xi in order to retain Chinese political position of strength.

Xi happens to be the tallest Chinese leader in the current strategically transitory situation. Moreover, he has developed a working equation and personal rapport with the current world political leaders who are going to be around for some time. From the Chinese perspective, it certainly is a sensible idea to perpetuate the vision of president Xi instead of bringing in a new incumbent in order to ensure political stability. Hence, a case for his continuation as an exception in the Chinese national interests.

While the Chinese proposal has its merits, it is also fraught with negatives that are detrimental not only to China but also to the world in general. Given the current Chinese politico-economic outreach and subtle military signatures beyond their borders. Since human mind has limited cognitive capabilities, depending on one individual as an ultimate arbitrator becomes counterproductive in the longer run.&nbsp;

Moreover, anti-incumbency is a known phenomenon in any political system which would have no room for catharsis in a single point closed Chinese system, unlike a democracy where there is an option for change. One man show at times may fail to keep pace with the contemporary geopolitical changes due to a rigidity of perceptions, thereby, losing out on political flexibility to adapt to requisite environmental synergies. In the proposed system perception of an individual would have the power to overrule the institutional decision-making mechanism which may manifest into inappropriate synergies.

Now that President Xi is likely to continue in the office beyond the stipulated two terms, he would serve the Chinese interests better if he accords priority to cooperation instead of confrontation. It is &nbsp;President Xi, who has to take a call with added faith and concomitant responsibilities bestowed upon him by the Chinese people.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Xi Jinping would serve the Chinese interests better if he accords priority to Cooperation instead of confrontation.

The talks of extension of Chinese president Xi Jinping’s tenure beyond the stipulated limit of two terms as per their 1982 constitution is generating reasonable interest in the diplomatic circles. We Indians, from an open democracy with no such restrictions, have no case to comment on the political philosophies, structures and processes that China wants to adopt. It is purely their call, albeit it has exposed an inherent flaw in their constitutional design. The sensibility of this proposed change is under scrutiny as President Xi is currently the head of all three apex level decision making bodies, including the communist party, national people’s congress and the military commission. In absence of political opposition in the one-party political system, a division of power amongst these three institutions has some modicum of conceptual debate on national issues, if not an elbow space for a dissent in a communist structure. With the proposed changes, however, the possibility of prompting by the all-powerful president himself cannot be ruled out. The change is symbolic of giving higher credence to a perceived successful personality over the proven institutional strength of existing governance structures. What concerns the international community most are the political connotations; China is seen as transitioning to quasi-dictatorial political structures. There are fair chances of enhanced political hubris of China in the absence of internal political opposition. This can get worse with President Xi’s penchant for the conduct of aggressive diplomacy as observed so far. Closer home, one cannot forget the Chinese duplicity and high handedness in orchestrating a major incursion across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) into Indian territory while President Xi was on a state visit to India, conveying a coercive politico- military message. Soon, thereafter, the Doklam happened as a sequel. The timings of the Doklam face-off was apparently linked to the domestic political compulsion of President Xi who intended to showcase his firm handling of territorial issues with an aim of enhancing his central position in Chinese polity in the forthcoming 19th Congress meet and the 90th anniversary of PLA. However, the Chinese bluff was exposed with firm political handling and Indian military resolve. A repeat of such military incursions cannot be ruled out in the future once Xi is firmly in the saddle for a longer tenure. Open threats of using military force and anti-India rhetoric from their foreign office on trivial issues are part of Chinese psychological warfare to keep India on the back foot. Looking at the pattern of political aggressiveness during his tenure so far, Xi seems to have used anti-India quotient in a deft manner, thereby, rallying national sentiments in his favour besides similar other international politically significant initiatives with military signatures. It also appears that China is getting worried due to the refusal of India to join CPEC bandwagon which is the key to its success, their biggest political investment in recent times. Fearing an adverse impact on their politico-economic ambitions, they seem to be desperate to tame India through a show of force, a sure shot recipe in their medieval mindset. Whereas, with the increased political clout and strategic pull of India as well as with the help from the US has put the Chinese under pressure to introspect their conduct. Chinese stand down from supporting Pakistan in FAFT and their reported outreach to the ASEAN countries in working out a code of conduct in the South China Sea are indicative of scaling down of their obstinate political posturing. These changes are due to their political compulsions to push through their national agenda as of now. However, their underlying confrontationist tendencies are likely to continue under Xi in order to retain Chinese political position of strength. Xi happens to be the tallest Chinese leader in the current strategically transitory situation. Moreover, he has developed a working equation and personal rapport with the current world political leaders who are going to be around for some time. From the Chinese perspective, it certainly is a sensible idea to perpetuate the vision of president Xi instead of bringing in a new incumbent in order to ensure political stability. Hence, a case for his continuation as an exception in the Chinese national interests. While the Chinese proposal has its merits, it is also fraught with negatives that are detrimental not only to China but also to the world in general. Given the current Chinese politico-economic outreach and subtle military signatures beyond their borders. Since human mind has limited cognitive capabilities, depending on one individual as an ultimate arbitrator becomes counterproductive in the longer run. Moreover, anti-incumbency is a known phenomenon in any political system which would have no room for catharsis in a single point closed Chinese system, unlike a democracy where there is an option for change. One man show at times may fail to keep pace with the contemporary geopolitical changes due to a rigidity of perceptions, thereby, losing out on political flexibility to adapt to requisite environmental synergies. In the proposed system perception of an individual would have the power to overrule the institutional decision-making mechanism which may manifest into inappropriate synergies. Now that President Xi is likely to continue in the office beyond the stipulated two terms, he would serve the Chinese interests better if he accords priority to cooperation instead of confrontation. It is President Xi, who has to take a call with added faith and concomitant responsibilities bestowed upon him by the Chinese people. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: China is giving Xi Jinping unprecedented power

&nbsp;A Hindu lawmaker in Pakistan has moved the court after he was prevented from taking oath in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for his alleged role in the murder of a Sikh legislator in 2016.

 
Member of the Provincial Assembly-elect Baldev Kumar, who is in jail in the murder case of Sikh lawmaker Sardar Soran Singh, moved the Peshawar High Court against the Speaker, treasury and opposition members of the provincial assembly for contempt of court.

 
In his petition, Kumar prayed that Senate elections which are due on March 3 should be stopped until his swearing-in ceremony.

 
The petitioner further claimed that he was deliberately maltreated in the Assembly Hall on February 27.

 
Arbab Jehandad Khan, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Member of the Provincial Assembly, threw his shoe at Kumar which landed close to him while some other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf threw copies of the assembly agenda towards Kumar.

 
Singh, a lawmaker from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, was shot dead in April 2016 in Buner district of the province.

 
Singh was elected to the provincial assembly on a minority seat.

 
His son Ajay on Sunday appealed the provincial government not to bring the &quot;killer&quot; of his father in the provincial assembly for obtaining his vote for Imran Khan&#39;s Tehreek-e-Insaf Senate candidate in the upcoming Senate elections due for March 3.

 
Kumar is the second in the list of Tehreek-e-Insaf party&#39;s candidates for a reserved seat for minorities.

In his petition, Kumar prayed that Senate elections which are due on March 3 should be stopped until his swearing-in ceremony.

A Hindu lawmaker in Pakistan has moved the court after he was prevented from taking oath in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for his alleged role in the murder of a Sikh legislator in 2016. Member of the Provincial Assembly-elect Baldev Kumar, who is in jail in the murder case of Sikh lawmaker Sardar Soran Singh, moved the Peshawar High Court against the Speaker, treasury and opposition members of the provincial assembly for contempt of court. In his petition, Kumar prayed that Senate elections which are due on March 3 should be stopped until his swearing-in ceremony. The petitioner further claimed that he was deliberately maltreated in the Assembly Hall on February 27. Arbab Jehandad Khan, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Member of the Provincial Assembly, threw his shoe at Kumar which landed close to him while some other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf threw copies of the assembly agenda towards Kumar. Singh, a lawmaker from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, was shot dead in April 2016 in Buner district of the province. Singh was elected to the provincial assembly on a minority seat. His son Ajay on Sunday appealed the provincial government not to bring the "killer" of his father in the provincial assembly for obtaining his vote for Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf Senate candidate in the upcoming Senate elections due for March 3. Kumar is the second in the list of Tehreek-e-Insaf party's candidates for a reserved seat for minorities.

Pak Hindu lawmaker moves court after prevented from taking oath

After weeks of speculation, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-move-to-embarrass-us-on-fatf-says-paks-paris-negotiator-34120">the Pakistan foreign office spokesman </a>said today the country will be placed in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in June.

The Dawn newspaper quoted <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/some-countries-proposed-to-put-pakistan-in-fatf-grey-list-india-33126">foreign ministry official </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/some-countries-proposed-to-put-pakistan-in-fatf-grey-list-india-33126">Dr</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/some-countries-proposed-to-put-pakistan-in-fatf-grey-list-india-33126"> Muhammad</a> Faisal saying: &quot;Pakistan will be assigned to the &quot;grey list&quot; in June, once an action plan has been mutually negotiated.&quot;

The spokesman added that Pakistan will cooperate with the international body in every way.

The spokesman denied that Pakistan will be transferred from the &quot;grey list&quot; to the &quot;blacklist&quot; in June. The FATF guidelines state those countries who do not cooperate to be put on the blacklist.

The Pakistan daily said that foreign ministry highlighted &quot;certain&quot; deficiencies in Pakistan&#39;s anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing effort.

&quot;We will take further actions for addressing any remaining deficiencies,&quot; Faisal said.

There was largescale speculation over Pakistan&#39;s inclusion in the terror financing watchlist after Pak officials had earlier said FATF had given the country a reprieve and reports said China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia had helped thwart pressure by the US to put Pak on the list.

In the end, however, China which is an all-weather ally of Pakistan decided to remain neutral after it was made the vice chair of the global body.

The spokesman added that Pakistan will cooperate with the international body in every way.

After weeks of speculation, the Pakistan foreign office spokesman said today the country will be placed in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in June. The Dawn newspaper quoted foreign ministry official Dr Muhammad Faisal saying: "Pakistan will be assigned to the "grey list" in June, once an action plan has been mutually negotiated." The spokesman added that Pakistan will cooperate with the international body in every way. The spokesman denied that Pakistan will be transferred from the "grey list" to the "blacklist" in June. The FATF guidelines state those countries who do not cooperate to be put on the blacklist. The Pakistan daily said that foreign ministry highlighted "certain" deficiencies in Pakistan's anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing effort. "We will take further actions for addressing any remaining deficiencies," Faisal said. There was largescale speculation over Pakistan's inclusion in the terror financing watchlist after Pak officials had earlier said FATF had given the country a reprieve and reports said China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia had helped thwart pressure by the US to put Pak on the list. In the end, however, China which is an all-weather ally of Pakistan decided to remain neutral after it was made the vice chair of the global body.

Pakistan to be placed on FATF terror financing watchlist, confirms foreign ministry

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