The US needs to encourage India and Pakistan to address their tensions in order to reduce the risk of a nuclear war, a top Pentagon official told lawmakers today while seeking to restrain Pakistan&#39;s nuclear programme.

Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver stressed that the US must see a change in Pakistan&#39;s behaviour in the areas of greatest concern to America.

&quot;America&#39;s interests are clear: we must stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America, we must encourage restraint in Pakistan&#39;s nuclear weapons programme and prevent nuclear weapons and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists,&quot; Schriver said.

&quot;We must also encourage India and Pakistan to address tensions, in order to reduce the risk of nuclear war,&quot; he said during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Schriver said during Defence Secretary Jim Mattis&#39;s first trip to Pakistan in December, he engaged directly with Pakistan&#39;s Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa on the objectives of the South Asia Strategy.

Mattis underscored that the US appreciated Pakistan&#39;s significant sacrifices in the war against terrorism and that Pakistan can play a vital role in working with America and others to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan.

&quot;Since the announcement of the South Asia Strategy in August, Pakistan has taken some positive steps. The steps to date, however, do not reflect the type of decisive action that is necessary to restore regional stability,&quot; he said.

He said the Defence Department will continue to press Pakistan to make positive changes in its approach and will provide clear and consistent feedback in response to Islamabad&#39;s action or inaction. 
The department of defence wants to ensure that Pakistan has a &quot;bridge back&quot; to enhanced cooperation if it takes decisive action on US requests, the official said.

Schriver said the new South Asia strategy focused primarily on the challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan but recognises that addressing these challenges effectively requires a broader regional approach. 
It seeks to discourage hedging behaviour by regional states, puts pressure on the Taliban to join a peace process, and emphasises the importance of regional cooperation to reduce the threat of terrorism and nuclear conflict, he said.

&quot;We are in Afghanistan to make America safer, to protect our citizens, and to ensure that Afghanistan and Pakistan do not serve as safe havens from which terrorists can support and launch attacks against our homeland, American citizens, and our allies. Now, more than ever, the US&#39; vision and leadership must remain clear and steady,&quot; Schriver said.

He said the strategy sought to deliver greater stability in the region by focusing on the region as a whole and shifting from a time-based approach to one based on conditions on the ground in Afghanistan.

&quot;It is important that we send a strong message to all actors that the United States remains committed to the continued development of the Afghan security forces, and that we are focused on promoting a political settlement that protects the interests of the US, Afghanistan, and our international partners,&quot; the top Pentagon official said.

Randall Schriver stressed that the US must see a change in Pakistan's behaviour in the areas of greatest concern to America

The US needs to encourage India and Pakistan to address their tensions in order to reduce the risk of a nuclear war, a top Pentagon official told lawmakers today while seeking to restrain Pakistan's nuclear programme. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver stressed that the US must see a change in Pakistan's behaviour in the areas of greatest concern to America. "America's interests are clear: we must stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America, we must encourage restraint in Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme and prevent nuclear weapons and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists," Schriver said. "We must also encourage India and Pakistan to address tensions, in order to reduce the risk of nuclear war," he said during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Schriver said during Defence Secretary Jim Mattis's first trip to Pakistan in December, he engaged directly with Pakistan's Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa on the objectives of the South Asia Strategy. Mattis underscored that the US appreciated Pakistan's significant sacrifices in the war against terrorism and that Pakistan can play a vital role in working with America and others to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan. "Since the announcement of the South Asia Strategy in August, Pakistan has taken some positive steps. The steps to date, however, do not reflect the type of decisive action that is necessary to restore regional stability," he said. He said the Defence Department will continue to press Pakistan to make positive changes in its approach and will provide clear and consistent feedback in response to Islamabad's action or inaction. The department of defence wants to ensure that Pakistan has a "bridge back" to enhanced cooperation if it takes decisive action on US requests, the official said. Schriver said the new South Asia strategy focused primarily on the challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan but recognises that addressing these challenges effectively requires a broader regional approach. It seeks to discourage hedging behaviour by regional states, puts pressure on the Taliban to join a peace process, and emphasises the importance of regional cooperation to reduce the threat of terrorism and nuclear conflict, he said. "We are in Afghanistan to make America safer, to protect our citizens, and to ensure that Afghanistan and Pakistan do not serve as safe havens from which terrorists can support and launch attacks against our homeland, American citizens, and our allies. Now, more than ever, the US' vision and leadership must remain clear and steady," Schriver said. He said the strategy sought to deliver greater stability in the region by focusing on the region as a whole and shifting from a time-based approach to one based on conditions on the ground in Afghanistan. "It is important that we send a strong message to all actors that the United States remains committed to the continued development of the Afghan security forces, and that we are focused on promoting a political settlement that protects the interests of the US, Afghanistan, and our international partners," the top Pentagon official said.

US must encourage India, Pakistan to address tensions: Official

A popular Pakistani actress and singer, Sumbul Khan,&nbsp;was shot dead by three men after she refused to accompany them to a private high profile party where the men wanted her to dance and perform.

According to a&nbsp;Pakistani media report, the actress was shot dead by three armed men inside her house.&nbsp;

They opened fire at the 25-year-old actress and fled her home after shooting her.&nbsp;

One of the accused in the killing is a former policeman who was immediately arrested after the investigation was launched.

The investigation to find the other two attackers is still on.&nbsp;

The 25-year-old actress was born on August 30, 1992, in Karachi. She was quite a popular face in Pashto language films.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

One of the accused in the killing is a former policeman who was immediately arrested after the investigation was launched

A popular Pakistani actress and singer, Sumbul Khan, was shot dead by three men after she refused to accompany them to a private high profile party where the men wanted her to dance and perform. According to a Pakistani media report, the actress was shot dead by three armed men inside her house. They opened fire at the 25-year-old actress and fled her home after shooting her. One of the accused in the killing is a former policeman who was immediately arrested after the investigation was launched. The investigation to find the other two attackers is still on. The 25-year-old actress was born on August 30, 1992, in Karachi. She was quite a popular face in Pashto language films.

Pakistani actress Sumbul Khan shot dead after she refuses to perform at private party

The disgraced former Pakistan captain&nbsp;Salman&nbsp;Butt&nbsp;has arrived in Bangladesh to play his first full-fledged competition outside his homeland since serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, an official said Tuesday.

He was cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board to play in the latest edition of the Dhaka Premier League, a popular Bangladesh club franchise which runs until March 20.

Butt&nbsp;has committed to a full season for local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club, a club captained by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

The former Pakistan skipper is expected to make his debut against Brothers Union on Wednesday.

Mohammedan official Wasim Khan said the club was looking for a left-handed opener and&nbsp;Butt&nbsp;&quot;easily fit&quot; the profile, adding they were not concerned about his past.

&quot;It happened long, long ago. He already served out his ban,&quot; he said.

&quot;We don&#39;t think it should be an issue now. We have seen him scoring runs and that is important to us.&quot;

Butt&nbsp;was captain of Pakistan when fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir delivered deliberate no-balls during a Test match against England at Lord&#39;s in August 2010.&nbsp;

The trio admitted to working with a bookmaker and served time in prison in England before being suspended for a minimum five years by the International Cricket Council.

The ban ended on September 1, 2015.

Amir has since returned to international cricket but&nbsp;Butt&nbsp;and Asif&#39;s careers were limited to Pakistan&#39;s domestic competition.

Butt&nbsp;was allowed to play two matches in a Twenty20 competition in the United Arab Emirates in January -- one controversial match in that event is under investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit -- before being cleared to play in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Premier League is a 50-over tournament featuring many retired international players including Pakistan&#39;s Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi, Sri Lanka&#39;s Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya, India&#39;s Ajay Jadeja and England&#39;s Neil Fairbrother.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Salman Butt along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir was accused of spot-fixing and served a five-year ban which ended in 2015

The disgraced former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has arrived in Bangladesh to play his first full-fledged competition outside his homeland since serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, an official said Tuesday. He was cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board to play in the latest edition of the Dhaka Premier League, a popular Bangladesh club franchise which runs until March 20. Butt has committed to a full season for local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club, a club captained by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. The former Pakistan skipper is expected to make his debut against Brothers Union on Wednesday. Mohammedan official Wasim Khan said the club was looking for a left-handed opener and Butt "easily fit" the profile, adding they were not concerned about his past. "It happened long, long ago. He already served out his ban," he said. "We don't think it should be an issue now. We have seen him scoring runs and that is important to us." Butt was captain of Pakistan when fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir delivered deliberate no-balls during a Test match against England at Lord's in August 2010. The trio admitted to working with a bookmaker and served time in prison in England before being suspended for a minimum five years by the International Cricket Council. The ban ended on September 1, 2015. Amir has since returned to international cricket but Butt and Asif's careers were limited to Pakistan's domestic competition. Butt was allowed to play two matches in a Twenty20 competition in the United Arab Emirates in January -- one controversial match in that event is under investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit -- before being cleared to play in Bangladesh. Dhaka Premier League is a 50-over tournament featuring many retired international players including Pakistan's Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi, Sri Lanka's Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya, India's Ajay Jadeja and England's Neil Fairbrother.

Former Pakistani cricketer, Salman Butt to play in Bangladesh

Following the incessant ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control normal life has been disrupted and as many as 60 schools have been shut in Poonch, local media reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

An army captain, a Havaldar and two riflemen lost their lives in the ceasefire on Line of Control (LoC) in Tarkundi on Sunday.&nbsp;

The Deputy District Collector of Poonch, Tariq Ahmed Zargar told ANI, &quot;Yesterday there was heavy shelling in Balakot sector and in wake of the ceasefire violation; we have decided that any school situated within 0 to 5 km of Line of Control in Balakote sector will remain closed today.&quot;

&quot;Approximately 60 schools will come under this jurisdiction. On the basis of the situation we will further decide whether to continue to reopen the schools,&quot; added DDC Zargar.

While schools remained closed, people preferred to stay indoors and demanded the government to ramp up its efforts to restore peace in the region.

As per reports, the Pakistan army had used missiles to attack the Indian army post.&nbsp;

On Monday, 84 schools in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/31793">Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Rajouri district</a> had been closed as a precautionary measure following the ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the state.&nbsp;

An army captain, a Havaldar and two riflemen lost their lives in the ceasefire on Line of Control (LoC) in Tarkundi on Sunday

Following the incessant ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control normal life has been disrupted and as many as 60 schools have been shut in Poonch, local media reported on Tuesday. An army captain, a Havaldar and two riflemen lost their lives in the ceasefire on Line of Control (LoC) in Tarkundi on Sunday. The Deputy District Collector of Poonch, Tariq Ahmed Zargar told ANI, "Yesterday there was heavy shelling in Balakot sector and in wake of the ceasefire violation; we have decided that any school situated within 0 to 5 km of Line of Control in Balakote sector will remain closed today." "Approximately 60 schools will come under this jurisdiction. On the basis of the situation we will further decide whether to continue to reopen the schools," added DDC Zargar. While schools remained closed, people preferred to stay indoors and demanded the government to ramp up its efforts to restore peace in the region. As per reports, the Pakistan army had used missiles to attack the Indian army post. On Monday, 84 schools in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district had been closed as a precautionary measure following the ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the state.

J&K: 60 schools shut, normal life affected following ceasefire violations

Reham Khan, the former wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, has left Pakistan citing threats to her by unidentified individuals, Pakistan media reported.

Speaking to a Pakistani private TV channel, Reham confirmed that she left Pakistan on Sunday night because she was receiving threats through phone calls made to her staff.&nbsp;

She reportedly shared an audio recording in which the coordinator of Reham Khan Foundation was informing her how he received calls from unidentified numbers and was threatened to not coordinate Reham&rsquo;s interviews and events.

The ex-wife of Imran went on to say that she had discontinued her daughter&rsquo;s education. Reham added that she was &ldquo;extremely distressed&rdquo;, saying she didn&rsquo;t have the support of any kind from any political party.

Reham, however, did not elaborate as to why she thought she was receiving threats for.

The former wife of the PTI chairman confirmed to the TV channel that several former cricketers called her and advised her to forget Imran Khan and not to get into any fight with him, Pakistan media reported.

Reham, however, did not elaborate as to why she thought she was receiving threats for

Reham Khan, the former wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, has left Pakistan citing threats to her by unidentified individuals, Pakistan media reported. Speaking to a Pakistani private TV channel, Reham confirmed that she left Pakistan on Sunday night because she was receiving threats through phone calls made to her staff. She reportedly shared an audio recording in which the coordinator of Reham Khan Foundation was informing her how he received calls from unidentified numbers and was threatened to not coordinate Reham’s interviews and events. The ex-wife of Imran went on to say that she had discontinued her daughter’s education. Reham added that she was “extremely distressed”, saying she didn’t have the support of any kind from any political party. Reham, however, did not elaborate as to why she thought she was receiving threats for. The former wife of the PTI chairman confirmed to the TV channel that several former cricketers called her and advised her to forget Imran Khan and not to get into any fight with him, Pakistan media reported.

Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan leaves Pakistan after 'receiving threats'

Everybody says that journalists have a tough life full of work. But this time it may have gotten a bit too far after&nbsp;a journalist from Pakistan reported from his own wedding.&nbsp;

Hailing from Razabad, Pakistan, news reporter Hanan Bukhari of City 41 channel may have taken his holidays too seriously and reported &#39;live&#39;&nbsp;from his own wedding.&nbsp;

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Appearing on-air in his wedding attire, the TV reporter covered the &lsquo;breaking news&rsquo; and interviewed his father, wife, mother-in-law and even his own mother.

He said: &quot;My family members and I are very happy today. Since it is a love marriage, my wife and her family members are happy too.&nbsp;My parents have gone to lengths and made arrangements to make this day come true.&quot;

He then went on to interview his wife asking her how she felt and said: &quot;I got you sports cars, heavy bikes, what would you like to say?&quot; to which she responded &quot;I felt very nice that you fulfilled my wish, I hope you continue to fulfill my wishes in future as well.&quot;&nbsp;

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Bursting with excitement, Bukhari and his guests seemed uninterrupted with this bizarre event. However, some Twitter users were not pleased with the coverage.

&quot;My god. What&#39;s journalism coming to? What next? Reporters covering family circumcisions.....,&quot; a Twitterati wrote.

&quot;Only in Pakistan..a reporter covering his own wedding..interviews wife and father-in-law and appreciate his own wedding procession..is it ethical journalism??? #Hilarious?,&quot; another user tweeted.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Appearing on-air in his wedding attire, the TV reporter covered the ‘breaking news’ and interviewed his father, wife, mother-in-law and even his own mother.

Everybody says that journalists have a tough life full of work. But this time it may have gotten a bit too far after a journalist from Pakistan reported from his own wedding. Hailing from Razabad, Pakistan, news reporter Hanan Bukhari of City 41 channel may have taken his holidays too seriously and reported 'live' from his own wedding. × Appearing on-air in his wedding attire, the TV reporter covered the ‘breaking news’ and interviewed his father, wife, mother-in-law and even his own mother. He said: "My family members and I are very happy today. Since it is a love marriage, my wife and her family members are happy too. My parents have gone to lengths and made arrangements to make this day come true." He then went on to interview his wife asking her how she felt and said: "I got you sports cars, heavy bikes, what would you like to say?" to which she responded "I felt very nice that you fulfilled my wish, I hope you continue to fulfill my wishes in future as well." × Bursting with excitement, Bukhari and his guests seemed uninterrupted with this bizarre event. However, some Twitter users were not pleased with the coverage. "My god. What's journalism coming to? What next? Reporters covering family circumcisions.....," a Twitterati wrote. "Only in Pakistan..a reporter covering his own wedding..interviews wife and father-in-law and appreciate his own wedding procession..is it ethical journalism??? #Hilarious?," another user tweeted.

Watch: Pak journalist takes job 'seriously', reports own 'wedding live'

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was adjourned on Monday after opposition legislators created ruckus over continuing ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

As the House assembled this morning, members of the National Conference and Congress raised anti-government slogans over government&#39;s alleged failure to protect the people from Pakistani shelling.

Amid noisy scenes, opposition members charged that the government was silent on large scale deaths of people in border shelling.

The government assured the statement after Question Hour.

BJP MLA Ravinder Raina raised the issue of Pakistani firing on the LoC and demanded that a resolution be brought out against Pakistan in the Assembly.

Opposition MLAs attacked the PDP-BJP government for its alleged failure.

Peace and reconciliation process is the only way out, said PDP minister Abdul Rehman Veeri.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We want the process started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to be taken forward,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;

Opposition raised the issue of ceasefire violations in the J&K Assembly

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was adjourned on Monday after opposition legislators created ruckus over continuing ceasefire violations by Pakistan. As the House assembled this morning, members of the National Conference and Congress raised anti-government slogans over government's alleged failure to protect the people from Pakistani shelling. Amid noisy scenes, opposition members charged that the government was silent on large scale deaths of people in border shelling. The government assured the statement after Question Hour. BJP MLA Ravinder Raina raised the issue of Pakistani firing on the LoC and demanded that a resolution be brought out against Pakistan in the Assembly. Opposition MLAs attacked the PDP-BJP government for its alleged failure. Peace and reconciliation process is the only way out, said PDP minister Abdul Rehman Veeri. “We want the process started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to be taken forward,” he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly rocked over ceasefire violations by Pakistan

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Sigh Chouhan has promised to pay an amount of Rs 1 crore to the wife of Rifleman Ramavatar who lost his life in ceasefire violation on Sunday.&nbsp;

The chief minister said that the soldier sacrificed his life for the safety of the&nbsp;nation and that his wife is the daughter of the entire state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The compensation will be given to the soldier&#39;s wife as &quot; samman rashi&quot;. Also, the parents of the deceased soldier will be given Rs 5,000 per month for life, the CM said.

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Ramavatar (soldier from Gwalior who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan) sacrificed his life for safety of nation. His wife Rachna is daughter of entire MP, she will be given a &#39;samman rashi&#39; of Rs 1 cr &amp; his parents will be provided Rs 5,000/month for life: MP CM <a href="https://t.co/MX8fuG2g0y">pic.twitter.com/MX8fuG2g0y</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960529663704608769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rifleman Ramavatr lost in life&nbsp;on Sunday after Pakistan violated ceasefire in the BG sector of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Rajouri district.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Madhya Pradesh: Mortal remains of Rifleman Ramavatar brought to his home in Gwalior; he lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in BG sector of J&amp;K&#39;s Rajouri district yesterday <a href="https://t.co/Hl6FkFnpbP">pic.twitter.com/Hl6FkFnpbP</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960549708518305793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Four soldiers were&nbsp;martyred&nbsp;and five others sustained injuries on Sunday in heavy shelling by Pakistani troops along LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Sigh Chouhan has promised to pay an amount of Rs 1 crore to the wife of Rifleman Ramavatar who lost his life in ceasefire violation on Sunday.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Sigh Chouhan has promised to pay an amount of Rs 1 crore to the wife of Rifleman Ramavatar who lost his life in ceasefire violation on Sunday. The chief minister said that the soldier sacrificed his life for the safety of the nation and that his wife is the daughter of the entire state. The compensation will be given to the soldier's wife as " samman rashi". Also, the parents of the deceased soldier will be given Rs 5,000 per month for life, the CM said. Ramavatar (soldier from Gwalior who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan) sacrificed his life for safety of nation. His wife Rachna is daughter of entire MP, she will be given a 'samman rashi' of Rs 1 cr & his parents will be provided Rs 5,000/month for life: MP CM pic.twitter.com/MX8fuG2g0y — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Rifleman Ramavatr lost in life on Sunday after Pakistan violated ceasefire in the BG sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. Madhya Pradesh: Mortal remains of Rifleman Ramavatar brought to his home in Gwalior; he lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in BG sector of J&K's Rajouri district yesterday pic.twitter.com/Hl6FkFnpbP — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Four soldiers were martyred and five others sustained injuries on Sunday in heavy shelling by Pakistani troops along LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Madhya Pradesh govt to give 1 crore to wife of soldier who died in ceasefire violation

The Free Karachi campaign has launched its second phase in Washington with around 100 taxis supporting the &quot;Free Karachi&quot; banners.&nbsp;

As part of the campaign, &ldquo;#FreeKarachi and Urban Sindh from State Atrocities in Pakistan&rdquo; advertisements have appeared on several highway billboards in the US. West Coast city of Los Angeles, reports said.&nbsp;

The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on state atrocities of Pakistan against Mohajirs and 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 last month.&nbsp;

The campaign was started on January 15 when a number of taxis and cars with #FreeKarachi banners participated in the city&rsquo;s annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. 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.

Pakistani-American politician, who is also the incumbent Convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement had tweeted during its first phase, &quot;This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with #FreeKarachi banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind [King] Day parade in the capital. #FreeKarachi.&quot;

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This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeKarachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeKarachi</a> banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind Day parade in the capital. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeKarachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeKarachi</a> <a href="https://t.co/OfqCLT3hik">pic.twitter.com/OfqCLT3hik</a>
&mdash; Nadeem Nusrat (@nadeem_nusrat) <a href="https://twitter.com/nadeem_nusrat/status/952930822570610689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

However, Pakistan&#39;s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary has said that Washington has assured that it will not support to any campaign against Pakistan.

The Dawn quoted Chaudhary, as saying, &quot;We took it up with the State Department, and they assured us that they continue to support Pakistan&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity as strongly as they always have.&quot;

The Ambassador Chaudhary further said anti-Pakistan posters and billboards have been removed from New York and Washington.

He also mentioned that US Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells had given a similar assurance during her recent visit to Islamabad.

The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on state atrocities of Pakistan against Mohajirs and 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 last month

The Free Karachi campaign has launched its second phase in Washington with around 100 taxis supporting the "Free Karachi" banners. As part of the campaign, “#FreeKarachi and Urban Sindh from State Atrocities in Pakistan” advertisements have appeared on several highway billboards in the US. West Coast city of Los Angeles, reports said. The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on state atrocities of Pakistan against Mohajirs and 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 last month. The campaign was started on January 15 when a number of taxis and cars with #FreeKarachi banners participated in the city’s annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. 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. Pakistani-American politician, who is also the incumbent Convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement had tweeted during its first phase, "This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with #FreeKarachi banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind [King] Day parade in the capital. #FreeKarachi." This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with #FreeKarachi banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind Day parade in the capital. #FreeKarachi pic.twitter.com/OfqCLT3hik — Nadeem Nusrat (@nadeem_nusrat) January 15, 2018 × However, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary has said that Washington has assured that it will not support to any campaign against Pakistan. The Dawn quoted Chaudhary, as saying, "We took it up with the State Department, and they assured us that they continue to support Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity as strongly as they always have." The Ambassador Chaudhary further said anti-Pakistan posters and billboards have been removed from New York and Washington. He also mentioned that US Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells had given a similar assurance during her recent visit to Islamabad.

'Free Karachi' campaign launches its second phase in Washington

A mother and daughter lost their lives in an explosion at their residence in Balochistan&#39;s Panjgur area on Sunday.

According to media reports, the incident happened due to an &quot;accidental&quot; hand grenade that exploded in the homes of the woman and her daughter, also leaving her son injured.&nbsp;

Makran Division Commissioner Bashir Bangulzai said that the boy had found a hand grenade and taken it home. The grenade exploded while he was playing with it inside his house in the Tusp area of Panjgur, the commissioner said.

The boy was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical assistance.&nbsp;

Commissioner Bangulzai said an investigation is underway to ascertain how the child got a hold of the grenade.

Makran Division Commissioner Bashir Bangulzai said that the boy had found a hand grenade and taken it home. The grenade exploded while he was playing with it

A mother and daughter lost their lives in an explosion at their residence in Balochistan's Panjgur area on Sunday. According to media reports, the incident happened due to an "accidental" hand grenade that exploded in the homes of the woman and her daughter, also leaving her son injured. Makran Division Commissioner Bashir Bangulzai said that the boy had found a hand grenade and taken it home. The grenade exploded while he was playing with it inside his house in the Tusp area of Panjgur, the commissioner said. The boy was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical assistance. Commissioner Bangulzai said an investigation is underway to ascertain how the child got a hold of the grenade.

Balochistan: Mother, daughter killed in 'accidental' grenade explosion

Islamabad and Kabul have decided to continue holding discussions to reach an agreement on the entire Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).

A joint statement read: &quot;The meeting was held in a cordial environment and both delegations made some progress on the APAPPS&quot;, reported the Dawn.&quot;An Afghan delegation held talks with Pakistani leadership in Islamabad on security cooperation amid the highly volatile security situation in their country. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led the Pakistani delegation at the talks while Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai was leading the Afghan side,&quot; it reported.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of a series of deadly attacks in Afghanistan allegedly by Pakistan.Kabul has also accused Islamabad of harbouring the Taliban.

In a televised speech to the nation, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently alleged that the &quot;centre of Taliban terrorism is in Pakistan&quot; and demanded that authorities in the neighbouring country &quot;show some concrete action to rid their territory of insurgents.&quot;

After the three major militant attacks that took place in Kabul in the past two weeks, the pressure on the country`s government has intensified to beef up the security.

The APAPPS is a joint action plan for cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism and reduction of violence, peace and reconciliation, refugees repatriation and joint economic development.&nbsp;

The pressure on the country's government has intensified to beef up the security

Islamabad and Kabul have decided to continue holding discussions to reach an agreement on the entire Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS). A joint statement read: "The meeting was held in a cordial environment and both delegations made some progress on the APAPPS", reported the Dawn."An Afghan delegation held talks with Pakistani leadership in Islamabad on security cooperation amid the highly volatile security situation in their country. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led the Pakistani delegation at the talks while Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai was leading the Afghan side," it reported. The meeting comes in the backdrop of a series of deadly attacks in Afghanistan allegedly by Pakistan.Kabul has also accused Islamabad of harbouring the Taliban. In a televised speech to the nation, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently alleged that the "centre of Taliban terrorism is in Pakistan" and demanded that authorities in the neighbouring country "show some concrete action to rid their territory of insurgents." After the three major militant attacks that took place in Kabul in the past two weeks, the pressure on the country`s government has intensified to beef up the security. The APAPPS is a joint action plan for cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism and reduction of violence, peace and reconciliation, refugees repatriation and joint economic development.

Pakistan, Afghanistan to continue talks on joint action plan

Thousands of Pashtuns gathered outside the press club in Islamabad and chanted Azadi (Freedom) slogans by highlighting human rights violations against the community.

The participants of the Pashtun sit-in have refused to budge from their stated position until the government accepts their &ldquo;five-point charter of demand&rdquo; and arrest the suspended Malir SSP, Rao Anwar, besides ensuring the rule of law in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

They undertook a Long March demanding justice for Naqeeb Mahsood, a Pashtun killed in a fake police encounter on January 13 in Karachi.

The participants were of the view that &lsquo;Naqeeb Shaheed&rsquo; is the name of a movement, while Rao Anwar is the name of the system; they resolved to continue the movement until the cleansing of the system from the criminals, like Rao Anwar, who bring bad name to the country.

The peaceful sit-in of the Pashtuns staged in front of the National Press Club, Islamabad, entered the third day on Saturday whereas the strength of the participants have also witnessed a drastic increase after people from across the country started joining the protest.

Police had put forged charges against Naqeeb with having links with terrorist groups like Jashkar-e-Jhangvi and Islamic State of Syria and Iraq.

The false claim was challenged by the family and relatives of Naqeeb Mahsood and subsequently, an inquiry commission was established by the government of Sindh province to investigate the police encounter.

The investigation team has announced Naqeeb innocent and killed in fake police encounter.

The participants complained that the people of FATA have been passing through an ordeal for the last 12 years. They are being killed, humiliated, and all their belonging is being burnt to ashes but no one can question the patriotism of the people of FATA, they added.

In the backdrop of discriminations against the Pashtun community, the participants demanded that they should be given equal status and equal rights.

The Long March was joined by more than 10,000 Pashtuns from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

A protester said, this is a beginning of the movement against the barbarism which this government is committing for the past 15 years in FATA, Waziristan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Today, we have announced that we will be not going to face this barbarism anymore&quot;.

Another protester said while addressing a gathering, &quot;the people of this region are not the terrorists, but this government is a terrorist, which represents the elite class of Punjab&quot;.

The participants of the Pashtun sit-in have refused to budge from their stated position until the government accepts their 'five-point charter of demand' and arrest the suspended Malir SSP, Rao Anwar, besides ensuring the rule of law in the FATA

Thousands of Pashtuns gathered outside the press club in Islamabad and chanted Azadi (Freedom) slogans by highlighting human rights violations against the community. The participants of the Pashtun sit-in have refused to budge from their stated position until the government accepts their “five-point charter of demand” and arrest the suspended Malir SSP, Rao Anwar, besides ensuring the rule of law in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). They undertook a Long March demanding justice for Naqeeb Mahsood, a Pashtun killed in a fake police encounter on January 13 in Karachi. The participants were of the view that ‘Naqeeb Shaheed’ is the name of a movement, while Rao Anwar is the name of the system; they resolved to continue the movement until the cleansing of the system from the criminals, like Rao Anwar, who bring bad name to the country. The peaceful sit-in of the Pashtuns staged in front of the National Press Club, Islamabad, entered the third day on Saturday whereas the strength of the participants have also witnessed a drastic increase after people from across the country started joining the protest. Police had put forged charges against Naqeeb with having links with terrorist groups like Jashkar-e-Jhangvi and Islamic State of Syria and Iraq. The false claim was challenged by the family and relatives of Naqeeb Mahsood and subsequently, an inquiry commission was established by the government of Sindh province to investigate the police encounter. The investigation team has announced Naqeeb innocent and killed in fake police encounter. The participants complained that the people of FATA have been passing through an ordeal for the last 12 years. They are being killed, humiliated, and all their belonging is being burnt to ashes but no one can question the patriotism of the people of FATA, they added. In the backdrop of discriminations against the Pashtun community, the participants demanded that they should be given equal status and equal rights. The Long March was joined by more than 10,000 Pashtuns from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. A protester said, this is a beginning of the movement against the barbarism which this government is committing for the past 15 years in FATA, Waziristan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Today, we have announced that we will be not going to face this barbarism anymore". Another protester said while addressing a gathering, "the people of this region are not the terrorists, but this government is a terrorist, which represents the elite class of Punjab".

Islamabad: Pashtuns carry out anti-Pakistan protest, won't move till demands met

Home minister Rajnath Singh hit out at Pakistan saying they did not have the power to separate Kashmir from India.&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in the poll-bound state Tripura he said that Pakistan keeps on targetting and attacking India, but they will never succeed in separating Kashmir from India.&nbsp;

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Hamara padosi desh hai Pak, Bharat ko pareshan karne ki, todne ki koshish karta hai. Kashmir mein napak harkatein karta hai. Kehta hai Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar denge. Kisi ne maa ka doodh nahi piya jo Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar de. Kashmir hamara tha, hai aur rahega: HM <a href="https://t.co/6WVVGBoLZx">pic.twitter.com/6WVVGBoLZx</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/959805507946139648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He said Kashmir was and will always be an&nbsp;integral part of India.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: HM Rajnath Singh says, &#39;Hamara padosi desh hai Pakistan... Kehta hai Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar denge. Kisi ne maa ka doodh nahi piya jo Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar de. Kashmir hamara tha, hai aur rahega&#39; in Agartala, Tripura. <a href="https://t.co/Ak53PcAxej">pic.twitter.com/Ak53PcAxej</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/959805652070780928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He also assured the people in the rally of maintaining security in the state if they are voted to power. He said &quot;I would like to assure you that if you form BJP govt here then not only BJP&#39;s people or common men but those from CPM &amp; other parties will remain safe too&quot;.

He also said &quot;Our govt just presented the budget &amp; said Rs 5 lakh cover will be provided a year to 10 crore poor &amp; vulnerable families in the country for medical treatment. Govt has taken responsibility to do that on its own shoulders. Did any other govt do that&quot;?

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There was UPA govt for 10 years under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh. I don&#39;t want to say anything against him. People used to say that Manmohan Singh is Mr Clean but at that time there were serious allegations of corruption of at least Rs 4 Lakh Crore against the govt: HM <a href="https://t.co/9EhYMrwJ4F">pic.twitter.com/9EhYMrwJ4F</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/959817630273167360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in the poll-bound state Tripura he said that Pakistan keeps on targetting and attacking India, but they will never succeed in separating Kashmir from India

Home minister Rajnath Singh hit out at Pakistan saying they did not have the power to separate Kashmir from India. While addressing a rally in the poll-bound state Tripura he said that Pakistan keeps on targetting and attacking India, but they will never succeed in separating Kashmir from India. Hamara padosi desh hai Pak, Bharat ko pareshan karne ki, todne ki koshish karta hai. Kashmir mein napak harkatein karta hai. Kehta hai Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar denge. Kisi ne maa ka doodh nahi piya jo Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar de. Kashmir hamara tha, hai aur rahega: HM pic.twitter.com/6WVVGBoLZx — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2018 × He said Kashmir was and will always be an integral part of India. #WATCH: HM Rajnath Singh says, 'Hamara padosi desh hai Pakistan... Kehta hai Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar denge. Kisi ne maa ka doodh nahi piya jo Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar de. Kashmir hamara tha, hai aur rahega' in Agartala, Tripura. pic.twitter.com/Ak53PcAxej — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2018 × He also assured the people in the rally of maintaining security in the state if they are voted to power. He said "I would like to assure you that if you form BJP govt here then not only BJP's people or common men but those from CPM & other parties will remain safe too". He also said "Our govt just presented the budget & said Rs 5 lakh cover will be provided a year to 10 crore poor & vulnerable families in the country for medical treatment. Govt has taken responsibility to do that on its own shoulders. Did any other govt do that"? There was UPA govt for 10 years under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh. I don't want to say anything against him. People used to say that Manmohan Singh is Mr Clean but at that time there were serious allegations of corruption of at least Rs 4 Lakh Crore against the govt: HM pic.twitter.com/9EhYMrwJ4F — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2018 ×

Pakistan does not have power to disintegrate India: Rajnath Singh

Pakistan said today that it had killed more than 17,600 militants in counter-terrorism operations started after the 9/11 terror attacks and destroyed their training camps in the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said at the weekly briefing that Pakistan had also cleared more than 46,000 km of land from terrorists.

&quot;Counter-terrorism operations within Pakistan have cleared 46,378 km of land and eliminated 17,614 terrorists, ensuring that our soil is not used against any other territory; we expect the same from our neighbours,&quot; he said.

US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take &quot;decisive action&quot; against terror groups operating from its soil.

Unveiling his first National Security Strategy (NSS), Trump said Pakistan has to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts and help in eliminating terror sanctuaries as America was making &quot;massive payments&quot; to it every year.

Faisal said the ongoing counter-terrorism operation Raddul-Fassad which was launched by Pakistan military last year eliminated terrorists especially those belonging to Tehreek-i-Taiban Afghanistan (TTA) and Haqqani Network (HN).

&quot;Actions against HN include rooting out of terrorist camps in Waziristan, blocking medical assistance to terrorists &amp; breaking their financing &amp; training camps,&quot; he said.

Faisal said Pakistan continued to prevent suspected TTA and HN elements from using its soil for any terrorist activity in Afghanistan.

He said that 27 individuals suspected of belonging to TTA and HN were handed over to Afghanistan in November 2017.

Faisal also alleged that &quot;tensions and escalation by India at the Eastern border adversely impact our counter- terrorism efforts&quot;.

Pakistan has deployed 202,000 troops for action against militants, the largest counter-terrorism deployment.

Faisal said effective border management remained one of Pakistan&#39;s prime objectives in preventing cross-border terrorism.

&quot;Pakistan has 975 border posts to man Pak-Afghan border; Afghanistan has 218,&quot; he said.

He said Pakistan was keen to assist the Afghan government while highlighting that on the southern side of the border, &quot;a stretch of 648 km has no check post on the Afghan side&quot;.

&quot;Large swathes of ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan are leaving a vacuum for safe havens and terrorist sanctuaries to flourish and launch attacks on Pakistan. Incidence of cross- border terrorist attacks from Afghanistan has increased since 2016, and peaked to 417 in 2017,&quot; he said.

The spokesman also said that &quot;Pakistan continues to share intelligence with more than 70 countries&quot; and has lost 75,000 civilians and 6000 soldiers to the scourge of terrorism. 
He said Pakistan had one of the highest officer-to- soldier casualty rates globally.

Faisal also said his country had suffered economic losses worth USD 123 billions in the war against terrorism.

He also mentioned the recent fatwa jointly issued by 1,829 highly qualified religious scholars, condemning terrorism and declaring it contrary to the teachings of Islam.

&quot;The fatwa outlaws the use of force by individuals or groups to take up arms against state for imposition of Sharia. The Fatwa also prohibits Pakistani citizens from violating territorial boundaries in the name of helping other armed groups and struggles outside Pakistan, offering intellectual and practical training and recruitment of terrorists,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan had cleared over 46,000 km of land from terrorists

Pakistan said today that it had killed more than 17,600 militants in counter-terrorism operations started after the 9/11 terror attacks and destroyed their training camps in the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said at the weekly briefing that Pakistan had also cleared more than 46,000 km of land from terrorists. "Counter-terrorism operations within Pakistan have cleared 46,378 km of land and eliminated 17,614 terrorists, ensuring that our soil is not used against any other territory; we expect the same from our neighbours," he said. US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terror groups operating from its soil. Unveiling his first National Security Strategy (NSS), Trump said Pakistan has to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts and help in eliminating terror sanctuaries as America was making "massive payments" to it every year. Faisal said the ongoing counter-terrorism operation Raddul-Fassad which was launched by Pakistan military last year eliminated terrorists especially those belonging to Tehreek-i-Taiban Afghanistan (TTA) and Haqqani Network (HN). "Actions against HN include rooting out of terrorist camps in Waziristan, blocking medical assistance to terrorists & breaking their financing & training camps," he said. Faisal said Pakistan continued to prevent suspected TTA and HN elements from using its soil for any terrorist activity in Afghanistan. He said that 27 individuals suspected of belonging to TTA and HN were handed over to Afghanistan in November 2017. Faisal also alleged that "tensions and escalation by India at the Eastern border adversely impact our counter- terrorism efforts". Pakistan has deployed 202,000 troops for action against militants, the largest counter-terrorism deployment. Faisal said effective border management remained one of Pakistan's prime objectives in preventing cross-border terrorism. "Pakistan has 975 border posts to man Pak-Afghan border; Afghanistan has 218," he said. He said Pakistan was keen to assist the Afghan government while highlighting that on the southern side of the border, "a stretch of 648 km has no check post on the Afghan side". "Large swathes of ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan are leaving a vacuum for safe havens and terrorist sanctuaries to flourish and launch attacks on Pakistan. Incidence of cross- border terrorist attacks from Afghanistan has increased since 2016, and peaked to 417 in 2017," he said. The spokesman also said that "Pakistan continues to share intelligence with more than 70 countries" and has lost 75,000 civilians and 6000 soldiers to the scourge of terrorism. He said Pakistan had one of the highest officer-to- soldier casualty rates globally. Faisal also said his country had suffered economic losses worth USD 123 billions in the war against terrorism. He also mentioned the recent fatwa jointly issued by 1,829 highly qualified religious scholars, condemning terrorism and declaring it contrary to the teachings of Islam. "The fatwa outlaws the use of force by individuals or groups to take up arms against state for imposition of Sharia. The Fatwa also prohibits Pakistani citizens from violating territorial boundaries in the name of helping other armed groups and struggles outside Pakistan, offering intellectual and practical training and recruitment of terrorists," he said.

17,600 militants killed in counter-terrorism operation after 9/11: Pakistan

The recent incidents of sexual assault on young girls in India and Pakistan are &quot;heart breaking&quot;, the spokesperson of the UN chief said, underlining that the world body is trying to address the issue through access to education and women empowerment.

He was responding to questions on recent incidents of rapes in India and Pakistan.

In India, an eight-month-old baby girl was raped last week by her 28-year-old cousin in New Delhi, a shocking incident that outraged the nation.

While in Pakistan last month, a seven-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered allegedly by a serial killer, triggering a national outcry.

&quot;I think these two cases you referred to are heartbreaking,&quot; Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said while answering a question on UN&#39;s advice for the two countries on this &quot;vicious cycle&quot;.

&quot;What is clear is that no country on this planet is immune from the scourge of violence against women, violence against girls.?We see it in all country, north, south, east and west,&quot; Dujarric said.

Through various programmes, through UN-Women, UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], UNICEF [United Nations Children&#39;s Fund] and others, the UN is working with governments to try to get messages through to communities to respecting girls, to respecting women, he said.

&quot;It&#39;s about equal rights. It&#39;s about access to health. It&#39;s about access to education. It&#39;s about empowerment of women. Through a number of its development programmes, the UN is trying to face the issue,&quot; said the spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'I think these two cases you referred to are heartbreaking,' Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said

The recent incidents of sexual assault on young girls in India and Pakistan are "heart breaking", the spokesperson of the UN chief said, underlining that the world body is trying to address the issue through access to education and women empowerment. He was responding to questions on recent incidents of rapes in India and Pakistan. In India, an eight-month-old baby girl was raped last week by her 28-year-old cousin in New Delhi, a shocking incident that outraged the nation. While in Pakistan last month, a seven-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered allegedly by a serial killer, triggering a national outcry. "I think these two cases you referred to are heartbreaking," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said while answering a question on UN's advice for the two countries on this "vicious cycle". "What is clear is that no country on this planet is immune from the scourge of violence against women, violence against girls.?We see it in all country, north, south, east and west," Dujarric said. Through various programmes, through UN-Women, UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], UNICEF [United Nations Children's Fund] and others, the UN is working with governments to try to get messages through to communities to respecting girls, to respecting women, he said. "It's about equal rights. It's about access to health. It's about access to education. It's about empowerment of women. Through a number of its development programmes, the UN is trying to face the issue," said the spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.

Sexual assaults on young girls in India, Pakistan 'heartbreaking': UN

The United States is not contemplating military action inside Pakistan, the Pentagon has said, refuting such reports appearing in Pakistani newspapers.

Instead, the US seeks Pakistan&#39;s cooperation and assistance in various operations under its new South Asia strategy, Lt Gen Kenneth F McKenzie told reporters at a news conference yesterday.

&quot;We actually don&#39;t contemplate military operations inside Pakistan. On the other hand, we recognise, because the strategy is inherently regional and Pakistan is geographically located at a critical nexus of a lot of different things, Pakistan is a fundamental part of the strategy,&quot; said McKenzie.

&quot;Through a variety of measures, we look to gain Pakistani cooperation and assistance as we pursue operations in Afghanistan. But we&#39;re not planning to conduct military operations inside Pakistan,&quot; he told Pentagon reporters in response to a question.

Under the new South Asia strategy, Pakistan has an opportunity to be a partner in the fight against terrorism, Pentagon&#39;s Chief Spokesperson Dana White said.

&quot;It (Pakistan) has been a victim of terrorism, and it has supported terrorism. We are looking for Pakistan to actively join -- it can do the things we need them to do to confront terrorism,&quot; said White.

&quot;So it&#39;s an inflection point, it&#39;s an opportunity, and we hope Pakistan will take it,&quot; she said in response to a question.

The US has recently suspended about USD 2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network terror groups and dismantle their safe havens

The freezing of all security assistance to Pakistan came days after US President Donald Trump, in a New Year&#39;s Day tweet, accused the country of giving nothing to the US but &quot;lies and deceit&quot; and providing &quot;safe haven&quot; to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

White refuted impression that there is a connection between the recent attacks in Kabul and the US&#39; decision to suspend aid to Pakistan.

&quot;The Taliban is desperate. They&#39;re murderous and they attack innocent civilians. As the general said, these were flashy but it shows their disparity,&quot; she said.

&quot;For every attack that&#39;s carried out, many, many, many are stopped, many are prevented from occurring. So to think that you&#39;re going to have exquisite timing on when an attack occurs is probably a bridge too far for the Taliban to have,? White said.&nbsp;

Under the new South Asia strategy, Pakistan has an opportunity to be a partner in the fight against terrorism, Pentagon's Chief Spokesperson Dana White said.

The United States is not contemplating military action inside Pakistan, the Pentagon has said, refuting such reports appearing in Pakistani newspapers. Instead, the US seeks Pakistan's cooperation and assistance in various operations under its new South Asia strategy, Lt Gen Kenneth F McKenzie told reporters at a news conference yesterday. "We actually don't contemplate military operations inside Pakistan. On the other hand, we recognise, because the strategy is inherently regional and Pakistan is geographically located at a critical nexus of a lot of different things, Pakistan is a fundamental part of the strategy," said McKenzie. "Through a variety of measures, we look to gain Pakistani cooperation and assistance as we pursue operations in Afghanistan. But we're not planning to conduct military operations inside Pakistan," he told Pentagon reporters in response to a question. Under the new South Asia strategy, Pakistan has an opportunity to be a partner in the fight against terrorism, Pentagon's Chief Spokesperson Dana White said. "It (Pakistan) has been a victim of terrorism, and it has supported terrorism. We are looking for Pakistan to actively join -- it can do the things we need them to do to confront terrorism," said White. "So it's an inflection point, it's an opportunity, and we hope Pakistan will take it," she said in response to a question. The US has recently suspended about USD 2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network terror groups and dismantle their safe havens The freezing of all security assistance to Pakistan came days after US President Donald Trump, in a New Year's Day tweet, accused the country of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years. White refuted impression that there is a connection between the recent attacks in Kabul and the US' decision to suspend aid to Pakistan. "The Taliban is desperate. They're murderous and they attack innocent civilians. As the general said, these were flashy but it shows their disparity," she said. "For every attack that's carried out, many, many, many are stopped, many are prevented from occurring. So to think that you're going to have exquisite timing on when an attack occurs is probably a bridge too far for the Taliban to have,? White said.

US not contemplating military action inside Pakistan: Pentagon

Demonstrators protested outside the Pakistani embassy in Kabul on Thursday as senior Afghan officials said they had handed over evidence connecting insurgents based in Pakistan with a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/campaign-launched-in-kabul-over-recent-attacks-31452" target="_blank"> recent spate of attacks</a> that killed well over 100 people.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-extends-afghan-refugees-repatriation-deadline-31445" target="_blank">Pakistan extends Afghan refugees&#39; repatriation deadline</a>

The protest, in which dozens of people burnt flags and chanted, &quot;Death to Pakistan&quot;, was not large, but it came during a period of heightened tension in the Afghan capital following two major attacks in the past two weeks.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Wais Barmak and Masooom Stanekzai, head of the NDS intelligence service, returned from a visit to Islamabad, where they had pressed Pakistani authorities to move against Taliban leaders based in the country.

&quot;We provided Pakistan with documents about Taliban operating centers inside Pakistan and we expect Pakistan to act against them,&quot; Barmak told a news conference in Kabul.

However, he declined to provide details on the information provided, citing the need to keep operational intelligence secret while investigations continued.

A Pakistani security delegation is due to visit Kabul on Saturday to continue the discussion, which comes as the United States has cut off some aid to Pakistan over what it calls its failure to crack down on militants attacking in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has long accused Pakistan of providing safe haven to Taliban and other insurgents, a charge Pakistan denies, pointing to the thousands of casualties it has suffered from militant violence over the years.

Last month, the Taliban claimed two major attacks in Kabul, one on the Intercontinental Hotel, which killed more than 30 people and a second that killed more than 100 people when an ambulance packed with explosives blew up on a crowded street.

The attacks in the heavily protected city center fuelled fresh worries about the Western-backed government`s ability to provide security and combat the Taliban insurgency.

On Thursday, the defence ministry issued a statement that dismissed as &quot;exaggerated&quot; a BBC report that the Taliban were operating in 70 percent of Afghanistan and said the army was involved in 14 separate operations.

But despite a sharp rise in US air strikes that commanders say have put heavy pressure on the Taliban and driven them back from major provincial centers, their ability to strike urban targets and undermine confidence in the government appears unaffected.

Demonstrators protested outside the Pakistani embassy in Kabul on Thursday as senior Afghan officials said they had handed over evidence connecting insurgents based in Pakistan with a recent spate of attacks that killed well over 100 people

Demonstrators protested outside the Pakistani embassy in Kabul on Thursday as senior Afghan officials said they had handed over evidence connecting insurgents based in Pakistan with a recent spate of attacks that killed well over 100 people. Also read: Pakistan extends Afghan refugees' repatriation deadline The protest, in which dozens of people burnt flags and chanted, "Death to Pakistan", was not large, but it came during a period of heightened tension in the Afghan capital following two major attacks in the past two weeks. On Thursday, Interior Minister Wais Barmak and Masooom Stanekzai, head of the NDS intelligence service, returned from a visit to Islamabad, where they had pressed Pakistani authorities to move against Taliban leaders based in the country. "We provided Pakistan with documents about Taliban operating centers inside Pakistan and we expect Pakistan to act against them," Barmak told a news conference in Kabul. However, he declined to provide details on the information provided, citing the need to keep operational intelligence secret while investigations continued. A Pakistani security delegation is due to visit Kabul on Saturday to continue the discussion, which comes as the United States has cut off some aid to Pakistan over what it calls its failure to crack down on militants attacking in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has long accused Pakistan of providing safe haven to Taliban and other insurgents, a charge Pakistan denies, pointing to the thousands of casualties it has suffered from militant violence over the years. Last month, the Taliban claimed two major attacks in Kabul, one on the Intercontinental Hotel, which killed more than 30 people and a second that killed more than 100 people when an ambulance packed with explosives blew up on a crowded street. The attacks in the heavily protected city center fuelled fresh worries about the Western-backed government`s ability to provide security and combat the Taliban insurgency. On Thursday, the defence ministry issued a statement that dismissed as "exaggerated" a BBC report that the Taliban were operating in 70 percent of Afghanistan and said the army was involved in 14 separate operations. But despite a sharp rise in US air strikes that commanders say have put heavy pressure on the Taliban and driven them back from major provincial centers, their ability to strike urban targets and undermine confidence in the government appears unaffected.

Afghanistan says it has proof attackers trained in Pakistan

Pakistan has extended by two months the deadline for repatriation of Afghan refugees, giving a temporary relief to them amid a spike in violence in Afghanistan.

About 3 million Afghans have been living in Pakistan for decades. Nearly half of them are unregistered and staying in the country illegally.

The decision to extend the deadline for their return was taken by federal cabinet yesterday.

&quot;The cabinet approved grant of 60 days extension in the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for Afghan refugees,&quot; said the statement.

The validity of legal refugee status for many Afghan refugees expired on January 31. This threw into doubt the future of these refugees.

Pakistan has extended the validity of PoR for the refugees at least six times in the past.

The Pakistani government says the country&#39;s economy &quot;has carried the burden of hosting Afghan refugees since long and in the present circumstances cannot sustain it further.&quot;

The 60-day extension came as Afghan Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak and National Directorate of Security chief Mohamed Masoom Stanekzai visited Pakistan to discuss bilateral ties.

The security situation in Afghanistan, where US-led coalition forces and the Afghan army continue to battle the Afghan Taliban for control of areas of the country, has been deteriorating in recent weeks.

On Sunday, at least 103 people were killed in a suicide attack in the heart of the capital Kabul.

A day later, at least 11 soldiers were killed when gunmen attacked a military academy, also in Kabul.

Afghanistan and the US have blamed Pakistan for allegedly providing safe havens to elements of the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network. Pakistan denies the charge, alleging that it is Afghan forces that offer sanctuary to elements of the Pakistani Taliban.&nbsp;

Pakistan has extended the validity of PoR for the refugees at least six times in the past.

Pakistan has extended by two months the deadline for repatriation of Afghan refugees, giving a temporary relief to them amid a spike in violence in Afghanistan. About 3 million Afghans have been living in Pakistan for decades. Nearly half of them are unregistered and staying in the country illegally. The decision to extend the deadline for their return was taken by federal cabinet yesterday. "The cabinet approved grant of 60 days extension in the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for Afghan refugees," said the statement. The validity of legal refugee status for many Afghan refugees expired on January 31. This threw into doubt the future of these refugees. Pakistan has extended the validity of PoR for the refugees at least six times in the past. The Pakistani government says the country's economy "has carried the burden of hosting Afghan refugees since long and in the present circumstances cannot sustain it further." The 60-day extension came as Afghan Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak and National Directorate of Security chief Mohamed Masoom Stanekzai visited Pakistan to discuss bilateral ties. The security situation in Afghanistan, where US-led coalition forces and the Afghan army continue to battle the Afghan Taliban for control of areas of the country, has been deteriorating in recent weeks. On Sunday, at least 103 people were killed in a suicide attack in the heart of the capital Kabul. A day later, at least 11 soldiers were killed when gunmen attacked a military academy, also in Kabul. Afghanistan and the US have blamed Pakistan for allegedly providing safe havens to elements of the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network. Pakistan denies the charge, alleging that it is Afghan forces that offer sanctuary to elements of the Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistan extends Afghan refugees' repatriation deadline

According to reports, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector of Rajouri earlier today.&nbsp;

The authorities decided to keep 71 schools closed after heavy shelling occurred in Lam area of Nowshera.&nbsp;

Shahid Choudhary, District Commissioner here has noted that the local authorities are taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of people.

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71 schools closed due to heavy shelling in Lam area of Nowshera. Measures being taken for safety of people :Shahid Choudhary DC, Rajouri <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jammu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jammu</a> &amp; Kashmir
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958918674831814658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Heavy shelling and firing were reported on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district from the Pakistani side on Tuesday.

Defence Ministry sources noted that the Indian positions retaliated to the firing, an exchange which kept on for nearly an hour.

The local authorities are taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of people

According to reports, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector of Rajouri earlier today. The authorities decided to keep 71 schools closed after heavy shelling occurred in Lam area of Nowshera. Shahid Choudhary, District Commissioner here has noted that the local authorities are taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of people. 71 schools closed due to heavy shelling in Lam area of Nowshera. Measures being taken for safety of people :Shahid Choudhary DC, Rajouri #Jammu & Kashmir — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Heavy shelling and firing were reported on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district from the Pakistani side on Tuesday. Defence Ministry sources noted that the Indian positions retaliated to the firing, an exchange which kept on for nearly an hour.

Pakistan violates ceasefire in Nowshera, Rajouri; 71 schools closed due to heavy shelling

Ramiz Raja has praised the role of legendary batsman Rahul Dravid in developing the young Indian players, and said Pakistan needs someone like him to unearth talent.

Lamenting the 203-run defeat at the hands of India in the semi-finals, Ramiz said he was pretty shocked at the margin of loss.

He, however, said it was not surprising, given the fact that Indian youngsters were better groomed and prepared to handle pressure situations.

&quot;I am impressed with the temperament shown by some of the Indian players. They have a fine find in Shubman Gill and others. Rahul Dravid deserves lot of credit for preparing and grooming them so effectively,&quot; he said.

Ramiz said having someone like Dravid as their coach and mentor was a big boost for the Indian youngsters.

&quot;They learn such a lot from him not just about cricket but about everything else. How to conduct oneself, how to develop game sense and so on,&quot; he said.

Ramiz said he was disappointed with the lack of batting talent in the Pakistan U-19 team.

&quot;The way our players fielded and batted it wasn&#39;t pleasant to watch. I think in Pakistan we need a total revamp of our youth cricket system. The Cricket Board needs to pay a lot more attention to youth cricket,&quot; he said.

Ramiz said a respected former stalwart of Pakistan cricket should be given the responsibility of developing the young players.

&quot;We need to have give someone charge for a proper time period like India has done with Rahul Dravid,&quot; he said.

Ramiz said youth cricket was not about winning but more importantly about scouting new players and than developing them for the future.

Ramiz said having someone like Dravid as their coach and mentor was a big boost for the Indian youngsters.

Ramiz Raja has praised the role of legendary batsman Rahul Dravid in developing the young Indian players, and said Pakistan needs someone like him to unearth talent. Lamenting the 203-run defeat at the hands of India in the semi-finals, Ramiz said he was pretty shocked at the margin of loss. He, however, said it was not surprising, given the fact that Indian youngsters were better groomed and prepared to handle pressure situations. "I am impressed with the temperament shown by some of the Indian players. They have a fine find in Shubman Gill and others. Rahul Dravid deserves lot of credit for preparing and grooming them so effectively," he said. Ramiz said having someone like Dravid as their coach and mentor was a big boost for the Indian youngsters. "They learn such a lot from him not just about cricket but about everything else. How to conduct oneself, how to develop game sense and so on," he said. Ramiz said he was disappointed with the lack of batting talent in the Pakistan U-19 team. "The way our players fielded and batted it wasn't pleasant to watch. I think in Pakistan we need a total revamp of our youth cricket system. The Cricket Board needs to pay a lot more attention to youth cricket," he said. Ramiz said a respected former stalwart of Pakistan cricket should be given the responsibility of developing the young players. "We need to have give someone charge for a proper time period like India has done with Rahul Dravid," he said. Ramiz said youth cricket was not about winning but more importantly about scouting new players and than developing them for the future.

Pakistan need mentor like Dravid for youngsters, says Ramiz Raja

Afghanistan&#39;s intelligence chief visited Pakistan on Wednesday, officials said, at a time when tension between the neighbours is simmering over accusations that Pakistan offers a safe haven for Taliban militants.

The visit comes amid anger in Afghanistan over an attack on a luxury hotel and a car bomb in the capital, Kabul, that killed more than 120 people, which the government has blamed on Haqqani network militants believed to operate out of Pakistan.

The Afghan team will present documentary evidence and phone tap information linking individuals and groups based in Pakistan with the Kabul attacks, a senior Afghan military source told Reuters.

The delegation includes Masoom Stanekzai, head of the National Directorate for Security intelligence agency, and Afghan Interior Minister Wais Barmak, officials said.

&quot;The Afghan government had requested that a high-level delegation would like to visit Pakistan with a message from the Afghan president,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s foreign office spokesman, Mohammad Faisal, said in a Twitter message.

On Saturday, a vehicle painted as an ambulance exploded in a Taliban suicide attack in one of the most well-protected parts of Kabul, killing more than 100 people and wounding at least 235.

It followed a Taliban-claimed attack a week earlier that killed more than 20 people in a siege of the city&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel.

Ties between the United States and Pakistan are brittle after Washington announced plans this month to suspend up to roughly $2 billion in US&nbsp;security assistance.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump tweeted that Pakistan had rewarded past U.S. aid with &quot;nothing but lies &amp; deceit&quot;.

Pakistan, which denies the accusations it allows safe havens for militants, condemned Saturday&#39;s attack and accused Washington of betrayal.

Pakistan is widely blamed in Kabul for the attacks and a senior Afghanistan cleric this week criticized a fatwa against suicide attacks issued by Pakistani religious authorities for not explicitly declaring attacks in Afghanistan haram, or unlawful for Muslims.

&nbsp; &nbsp; Pakistan&#39;s embassy in Kabul rejected the criticism, saying in a statement the fatwa was a message against violence and terrorism anywhere in the name of Islamic injunctions.

In November, Pakistan handed to Afghanistan 27 people suspected of belonging to the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network, a spokesman for the country&#39;s foreign office said on Monday.

A delegation from Islamabad is to visit Afghanistan on Feb. 3, Pakistan&#39;s embassy in Kabul said.

&quot;The delegation, led by the foreign secretary, will hold constructive and meaningful discussions with Afghanistan on all issues including counter-terrorism, peace and reconciliation and repatriation of refugees,&quot; the embassy said in a statement.

Ties between the United States and Pakistan are brittle after Washington announced plans this month to suspend up to roughly $2 billion in U.S. security assistance

Afghanistan's intelligence chief visited Pakistan on Wednesday, officials said, at a time when tension between the neighbours is simmering over accusations that Pakistan offers a safe haven for Taliban militants. The visit comes amid anger in Afghanistan over an attack on a luxury hotel and a car bomb in the capital, Kabul, that killed more than 120 people, which the government has blamed on Haqqani network militants believed to operate out of Pakistan. The Afghan team will present documentary evidence and phone tap information linking individuals and groups based in Pakistan with the Kabul attacks, a senior Afghan military source told Reuters. The delegation includes Masoom Stanekzai, head of the National Directorate for Security intelligence agency, and Afghan Interior Minister Wais Barmak, officials said. "The Afghan government had requested that a high-level delegation would like to visit Pakistan with a message from the Afghan president," Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, Mohammad Faisal, said in a Twitter message. On Saturday, a vehicle painted as an ambulance exploded in a Taliban suicide attack in one of the most well-protected parts of Kabul, killing more than 100 people and wounding at least 235. It followed a Taliban-claimed attack a week earlier that killed more than 20 people in a siege of the city's Intercontinental Hotel. Ties between the United States and Pakistan are brittle after Washington announced plans this month to suspend up to roughly $2 billion in US security assistance. US President Donald Trump tweeted that Pakistan had rewarded past U.S. aid with "nothing but lies & deceit". Pakistan, which denies the accusations it allows safe havens for militants, condemned Saturday's attack and accused Washington of betrayal. Pakistan is widely blamed in Kabul for the attacks and a senior Afghanistan cleric this week criticized a fatwa against suicide attacks issued by Pakistani religious authorities for not explicitly declaring attacks in Afghanistan haram, or unlawful for Muslims. Pakistan's embassy in Kabul rejected the criticism, saying in a statement the fatwa was a message against violence and terrorism anywhere in the name of Islamic injunctions. In November, Pakistan handed to Afghanistan 27 people suspected of belonging to the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network, a spokesman for the country's foreign office said on Monday. A delegation from Islamabad is to visit Afghanistan on Feb. 3, Pakistan's embassy in Kabul said. "The delegation, led by the foreign secretary, will hold constructive and meaningful discussions with Afghanistan on all issues including counter-terrorism, peace and reconciliation and repatriation of refugees," the embassy said in a statement.

Afghan spy chief visits Pakistan in wake of Kabul attacks

President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday rejected a phone call from his Pakistani counterpart, Pajhwok Afghan news reported.&nbsp;

According to reports, Ghani&#39;s interior minister was sent to Islamabad along with officials who would be sharing evidence of Pakistan&#39;s involvement in the recent terror attacks on Afghanistan.&nbsp;

According to the Pajkwok report, Pakistan&#39;s PM wanted to share his sympathies with his Afghan counterpart over the series of terror attacks in the country.&nbsp;

In an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-buys-weapons-from-international-companies-sells-to-taliban-through-its-domestic-markets-afghan-envoy-to-us-tells-wion-31297">interview with WION</a> Afghanistan&#39;s envoy to the US, Majeed Qarar, noted Pakistan&#39;s involvement in the recent attack on Kabul. According to Qarar, Pakistan has been buying military-grade weapons from international companies and selling them to Taliban.&nbsp;

Pakistan's PM wanted to share his sympathies with his Afghan counterpart over the series of terror attacks

President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday rejected a phone call from his Pakistani counterpart, Pajhwok Afghan news reported. According to reports, Ghani's interior minister was sent to Islamabad along with officials who would be sharing evidence of Pakistan's involvement in the recent terror attacks on Afghanistan. According to the Pajkwok report, Pakistan's PM wanted to share his sympathies with his Afghan counterpart over the series of terror attacks in the country. In an interview with WION Afghanistan's envoy to the US, Majeed Qarar, noted Pakistan's involvement in the recent attack on Kabul. According to Qarar, Pakistan has been buying military-grade weapons from international companies and selling them to Taliban.

Afghan President rejected phone call from Pakistan's Abbasi 

Afghanistan&#39;s envoy to the Unites States Majeed Qarar, spoke to WION giving details about Pakistan&#39;s involvement in the recent Afghan terror attacks.&nbsp;

&quot;It is not that this news has emerged recently. In Afghanistan, everyone knows where the Talibani forces are coming from in Pakistan,&quot; Qarar told WION.

Qarar noted that the international media is not aware of this fact but &quot;these are clear evidence&quot;.&nbsp;

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A clear proof that the attack on Kabul&#39;s Inter (Con) Hotel was planned in a madrasa, on Pakistan&#39;s soil. Abdul Qahar, the father of one of the suicide attackers is an eyewitness of the story. Please watch the video: <a href="https://t.co/uGFdT4nZ7a">https://t.co/uGFdT4nZ7a</a>
&mdash; Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajeedQarar/status/958022789138649088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Speaking of the Trump administration&#39;s stance on Pakistan and terror groups, Qarar hoped that the White House continues to tighten its grip around Pakistan with respect to terrorism.

Qarar noted that Pakistan always retaliates when put under pressure. &quot;The country has been supplying military-grade equipment to terror forces. Instead of solving the matter they meddle with our internal issues. We admit that we have issues, we faced wars for years,&quot; noted Qarar.

Qarar&nbsp;said that Pakistan&#39;s atrocities are only going to unify the Afghan nations. He shared that the Afghan forces manage to seize material on a daily basis.

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<h5>These military-grade equipment are not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells them through its domestic black market.</h5>
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&quot;And these are military-grade equipment, not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells these through its domestic black market; they buy these weapons from international companies.&quot;

Qarar concluded by saying that Pakistan should stop meddling with Afghanistan&#39;s internal affairs and give up its stance of denial. &quot;Pakistan must do its part, accept what they are doing,&quot; shared Qarar.

Qarar recently shared a video on his social media platform.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">Attack on Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel was planned in Pakistan: Afghan envoy to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">US</a>

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The night vision goggles found with Taliban attackers in maiwand&#39;s ANA base were military grade goggles (Not sold to public) procured by Pak army from a British company &amp; supplied 2 Lashkar-e-Tayyeba in Kashmir &amp; Taliban in Afghanistn. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba is an int&#39;l terrorist org.
&mdash; Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajeedQarar/status/957805793541345283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the video, Abdul Qahar -- an eyewitness of the incident -- shares details about his son&#39;s enrollment in a Pakistan-based Madrasa. Qahar&#39;s son was one of the suicide attackers in the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel attack.&nbsp;

Qarar noted that the international media is not aware of this fact but these serve as clear evidence

Afghanistan's envoy to the Unites States Majeed Qarar, spoke to WION giving details about Pakistan's involvement in the recent Afghan terror attacks. "It is not that this news has emerged recently. In Afghanistan, everyone knows where the Talibani forces are coming from in Pakistan," Qarar told WION. Qarar noted that the international media is not aware of this fact but "these are clear evidence". A clear proof that the attack on Kabul's Inter (Con) Hotel was planned in a madrasa, on Pakistan's soil. Abdul Qahar, the father of one of the suicide attackers is an eyewitness of the story. Please watch the video: https://t.co/uGFdT4nZ7a — Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) January 29, 2018 × Speaking of the Trump administration's stance on Pakistan and terror groups, Qarar hoped that the White House continues to tighten its grip around Pakistan with respect to terrorism. Qarar noted that Pakistan always retaliates when put under pressure. "The country has been supplying military-grade equipment to terror forces. Instead of solving the matter they meddle with our internal issues. We admit that we have issues, we faced wars for years," noted Qarar. Qarar said that Pakistan's atrocities are only going to unify the Afghan nations. He shared that the Afghan forces manage to seize material on a daily basis. These military-grade equipment are not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells them through its domestic black market. × "And these are military-grade equipment, not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells these through its domestic black market; they buy these weapons from international companies." Qarar concluded by saying that Pakistan should stop meddling with Afghanistan's internal affairs and give up its stance of denial. "Pakistan must do its part, accept what they are doing," shared Qarar. Qarar recently shared a video on his social media platform. Also read: Attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel was planned in Pakistan: Afghan envoy to US The night vision goggles found with Taliban attackers in maiwand's ANA base were military grade goggles (Not sold to public) procured by Pak army from a British company & supplied 2 Lashkar-e-Tayyeba in Kashmir & Taliban in Afghanistn. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba is an int'l terrorist org. — Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) January 29, 2018 × In the video, Abdul Qahar -- an eyewitness of the incident -- shares details about his son's enrollment in a Pakistan-based Madrasa. Qahar's son was one of the suicide attackers in the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel attack.

Pakistan buys weapons from international companies, sells to Taliban through domestic markets: Afghan envoy to US tells WION

The Pakistan army opened fire on the Indian side in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Poonch district.

The firing was carried out by the Pak troops in Poonch district&#39;s Mankote at around 5 pm.&nbsp;

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Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch district&#39;s Mankote. More details awaited. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958678345109123073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The forces targetted the Dabraj, Balnoi and Narh villages of the Mankote with small and heavy weapons.

There was no report of any casualty, however.&nbsp;

The Indian forces also retaliated against the ceasefire violations.&nbsp; 
 
The Pakistani forces on Tuesday opened fire in the Krishna Ghati sector of the Poonch district and also shelled over villages in Naushera sector of&nbsp;Rajouri district.

Ceasefire violations by Pakistan have increased on the International border over the past few weeks.

The state police have clarified death of fourteen people, including eight civilians due to the ceasefire violations on the borders.&nbsp;

Due to the continuous shelling by the Pakistan forces along the International border an LoC, over 300 schools have been shut down as a precautionary measure.&nbsp;

The Pakistan army opened fire on the Indian side in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The firing was carried out by the Pak troops in Poonch district's Mankote at around 5 pm. Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch district's Mankote. More details awaited. #JammuAndKashmir — ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2018 × The forces targetted the Dabraj, Balnoi and Narh villages of the Mankote with small and heavy weapons. There was no report of any casualty, however. The Indian forces also retaliated against the ceasefire violations. The Pakistani forces on Tuesday opened fire in the Krishna Ghati sector of the Poonch district and also shelled over villages in Naushera sector of Rajouri district. Ceasefire violations by Pakistan have increased on the International border over the past few weeks. The state police have clarified death of fourteen people, including eight civilians due to the ceasefire violations on the borders. Due to the continuous shelling by the Pakistan forces along the International border an LoC, over 300 schools have been shut down as a precautionary measure.

Pakistan violates ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir's Poonch

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