Pakistan's military says security forces shot and killed a local militant commander along with four of his associates in a raid on Monday near the border with Afghanistan.

It identified the slain commander as Wasim Zakaria and said he was involved in multiple attacks on security forces.

The military said he was also involved in the killing of Zubaidullah Khan, a federal housing official who was gunned down in May while visiting his village in North Waziristan to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr.

North Waziristan served as headquarters for local and foreign militants until 2017, when the army said it had cleared the region of insurgents following several operations. The region still sees sporadic attacks, mainly targeting security forces.

Pakistan's military says security forces shot and killed a local militant commander along with four of his associates in a raid on Monday near the border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan's military says security forces shot and killed a local militant commander along with four of his associates in a raid on Monday near the border with Afghanistan. It identified the slain commander as Wasim Zakaria and said he was involved in multiple attacks on security forces. The military said he was also involved in the killing of Zubaidullah Khan, a federal housing official who was gunned down in May while visiting his village in North Waziristan to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr. North Waziristan served as headquarters for local and foreign militants until 2017, when the army said it had cleared the region of insurgents following several operations. The region still sees sporadic attacks, mainly targeting security forces.

Pakistan says 5 militants killed in raid near Afghan border

Pakistan's aviation authority has suspended 15 more pilots for possessing dubious licenses, taking the number of those taken off duty for flying with fake credentials in the country to 93, according to a media report on Saturday.

They were suspended by the Aviation Division on Friday. These are among the 262 pilots, who were grounded and put under investigation by the aviation ministry last month, for possessing suspicious licences, according to a Pakistani newspaper. The licences of 28 other pilots have already been cancelled.

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Abdul Sattar Khokhar, Spokesman for the Aviation Division, said a total of 262 pilots were identified as possessing fake licences by the Board of Inquiry and grounded immediately after identification on the instructions of the government.

He said out of these 262 pilots, the federal Cabinet had approved cancellation of the licences of 28.

These 28 pilots will not be able to undertake any flying duty and their licences have been cancelled after proper legal procedures under which the pilots were given an opportunity of hearing.

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The matter was twice deliberated by the Cabinet before the decision. The process of verification of licences of 93 pilots has been initiated, while the investigation of the remaining 141 cases is expected to be completed within one week.

Khokhar, who is also the senior joint secretary, said the entire process of scrutiny and validation followed by necessary disciplinary action was being closely monitored and personally supervised by Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

Meanwhile, Serene Air, a private airliner, has stopped paying salary to its pilots and first officers who have been identified as possessing fake licences.

The human resource department of the airline informed them that they would not be paid from June 29 till the issue was resolved.

Earlier, the Aviation Division had provided a list of 10 pilots of the private airline having fake licences. 
Of the 10 pilots, three had already left the airline, while the remaining have been grounded, the report said.

Pakistan's aviation authority has suspended 15 more pilots for possessing dubious licenses, taking the number of those taken off duty for flying with fake credentials in the country to 93, according to a media report on Saturday.

Pakistan's aviation authority has suspended 15 more pilots for possessing dubious licenses, taking the number of those taken off duty for flying with fake credentials in the country to 93, according to a media report on Saturday. They were suspended by the Aviation Division on Friday. These are among the 262 pilots, who were grounded and put under investigation by the aviation ministry last month, for possessing suspicious licences, according to a Pakistani newspaper. The licences of 28 other pilots have already been cancelled. Also read: European Union bans Pakistan International Airlines from flying to Europe for six months Abdul Sattar Khokhar, Spokesman for the Aviation Division, said a total of 262 pilots were identified as possessing fake licences by the Board of Inquiry and grounded immediately after identification on the instructions of the government. He said out of these 262 pilots, the federal Cabinet had approved cancellation of the licences of 28. These 28 pilots will not be able to undertake any flying duty and their licences have been cancelled after proper legal procedures under which the pilots were given an opportunity of hearing. Also read| Pakistan lost $50 million from airspace restrictions: Aviation minister The matter was twice deliberated by the Cabinet before the decision. The process of verification of licences of 93 pilots has been initiated, while the investigation of the remaining 141 cases is expected to be completed within one week. Khokhar, who is also the senior joint secretary, said the entire process of scrutiny and validation followed by necessary disciplinary action was being closely monitored and personally supervised by Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan. Meanwhile, Serene Air, a private airliner, has stopped paying salary to its pilots and first officers who have been identified as possessing fake licences. The human resource department of the airline informed them that they would not be paid from June 29 till the issue was resolved. Earlier, the Aviation Division had provided a list of 10 pilots of the private airline having fake licences. Of the 10 pilots, three had already left the airline, while the remaining have been grounded, the report said.

Pakistan aviation authority suspends 15 more pilots having fake licenses

Pakistan's National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution against the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution, moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, also expressed the resolve to extend diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris.

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India has told Pakistan that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and shall continue to be an integral part of India. Issues related to Jammu and Kashmir are internal matter to India.

The House called upon the United Nations and the international community to play their role in resolving the Kashmir issue.

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Prime Minister Imran Khan also took to Twitter to express his solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Separately, the Foreign Office in a statement said Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 last year and bifurcating it into two union territories.

India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.&nbsp;

Pakistan's National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution against the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution, moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, also expressed the resolve to extend diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris.

Pakistan's National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution against the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution, moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, also expressed the resolve to extend diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris. Also read: Pak denies unfreezing of Hafiz Saeed, five other terrorists' bank account India has told Pakistan that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and shall continue to be an integral part of India. Issues related to Jammu and Kashmir are internal matter to India. The House called upon the United Nations and the international community to play their role in resolving the Kashmir issue. Also read: Pak reopens more trade routes with Afghan after months-long closure of border Prime Minister Imran Khan also took to Twitter to express his solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Separately, the Foreign Office in a statement said Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiri people. Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 last year and bifurcating it into two union territories. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.

Pak National Assembly passes resolution condemning alleged human rights in Jammu and Kashmir

The Punjab government has sought fresh medical reports - within three days - from former Pakistan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-critical-picture-in-restaurant-goes-viral-274259">Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif</a> to decide on his application seeking an extension of his stay abroad for medical treatment, local media reported.

In a letter written by the provincial Home Department, dated January 28, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-decision-to-extend-nawaz-sharifs-stay-abroad-due-next-week-270782">Sharif </a>has been asked to submit the requisite reports, failing&nbsp;which the concerned authorities would decide on his application, seeking an extension of his stay abroad, based on existing records.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-punjab-govt-constitutes-committee-to-decide-on-nawazs-stay-abroad-270263">Sharif </a>had gone to London in November 2019 after the government gave him one-time permission to travel abroad for medical treatment during his bail period of four weeks without the condition of submitting indemnity bonds.

In December, last year, the former Prime Minister had sought an extension in his stay abroad on the expiry of the four weeks granted by the Lahore High Court.

Earlier this month, a picture of Sharif at a restaurant in London had gone viral following which Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government leaders have raised questions over the 'critical' nature of his health.

The Punjab government has sought fresh medical reports - within three days - from former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to decide on his application seeking an extension of his stay abroad for medical treatment, local media reported.

The Punjab government has sought fresh medical reports - within three days - from former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to decide on his application seeking an extension of his stay abroad for medical treatment, local media reported. In a letter written by the provincial Home Department, dated January 28, Sharif has been asked to submit the requisite reports, failing which the concerned authorities would decide on his application, seeking an extension of his stay abroad, based on existing records. Also Read: Forced conversions grow in Pakistan, Minorities face discrimination Sharif had gone to London in November 2019 after the government gave him one-time permission to travel abroad for medical treatment during his bail period of four weeks without the condition of submitting indemnity bonds. In December, last year, the former Prime Minister had sought an extension in his stay abroad on the expiry of the four weeks granted by the Lahore High Court. Earlier this month, a picture of Sharif at a restaurant in London had gone viral following which Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government leaders have raised questions over the 'critical' nature of his health.

Pak: Punjab govt seeks fresh medical reports from Nawaz Sharif within 3 days

Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the Degwar sector of Poonch district on Thursday. The <a href="Another Hindu temple vandalised in Pakistan, holy books, idols burnt">violation occurred</a> around 1:30 PM today when Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars.

Indian Army is retaliating befittingly. On Wednesday also Pakistan had resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.

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Meanwhile, earlier in the day, a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorist was arrested with arms and ammunition by a joint team of army 47 RR and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Kupwara police in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the Degwar sector of Poonch district on Thursday. The violation occurred around 1:30 PM today when Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the Degwar sector of Poonch district on Thursday. The violation occurred around 1:30 PM today when Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars. Indian Army is retaliating befittingly. On Wednesday also Pakistan had resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. Also Read: Pakistan army is obsessed with India because it justifies its indispensability Meanwhile, earlier in the day, a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorist was arrested with arms and ammunition by a joint team of army 47 RR and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Kupwara police in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.

Ceasefire violated by Pakistan in Poonch region

India has summoned a senior official of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/scuffle-breaks-out-between-bajrang-dal-and-security-forces-near-pakistan-high-commission-272718">Pakistan High Commission</a> and lodged a strong protest over the recent cases of abduction of minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan, and urged for the safe return of them to their families, government sources said. 
 
The development comes after incidents of kidnapping of minor girls from the Hindu community came to light in Pakistan earlier this month. 
 
Two minor girls, Shanti Meghwad and Sarmi Meghwad, belonging to the minority Hindu community were abducted on January 14. They belong to Umar Village in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-facing-a-locust-crisis-more-than-40-crops-under-risk-263563">Tharparkar</a> of Sindh province. 
 
In another incident, a minor girl, Mehak, also belonging to the minority Hindu community, was abducted from Jacobabad district of Sindh province on January 15. 
 
"Pakistan has been conveyed the grave concerns as expressed amongst various quarters of the Indian civil society at such a shocking and deplorable incident involving minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan. The incidents have been strongly condemned and asked for the immediate safe return of the girls to their families," government sources said. 
 
India has time and again lodged several protests over the abduction and forced marriage of women from the Hindu community in the neighboring country. 
 
Recently, an angry group of local residents pelted stones at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-chishti-the-man-who-incited-nankana-sahib-gurdwara-violence-arrested-272549">Gurdwara Nankana Sahib</a> in Pakistan on January 3. The group was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of gurdwara's panthi, last year. 
 
India had strongly condemned the "wanton acts of destruction and desecration" at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, and called upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. 
 
Days later, the body of Sikh youth, identified as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/india-condemns-sikh-youth-murder-stone-pelting-at-gurudwara-in-pakistan-272349">Ravinder Singh</a>, was found in the Chamkani police station area of Peshawar. The deceased was the brother of an Islamabad-based journalist, Harmeet Singh. 
 
India had also shared strong concerns raised by members of civil society, parliamentarians, and others at the "continued persecution of religious and ethnic minorities" in Pakistan.

India has summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest over the recent cases of abduction of minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan, and urged for the safe return of them to their families, government sources said.

India has summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest over the recent cases of abduction of minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan, and urged for the safe return of them to their families, government sources said. The development comes after incidents of kidnapping of minor girls from the Hindu community came to light in Pakistan earlier this month. Two minor girls, Shanti Meghwad and Sarmi Meghwad, belonging to the minority Hindu community were abducted on January 14. They belong to Umar Village in Tharparkar of Sindh province. In another incident, a minor girl, Mehak, also belonging to the minority Hindu community, was abducted from Jacobabad district of Sindh province on January 15. "Pakistan has been conveyed the grave concerns as expressed amongst various quarters of the Indian civil society at such a shocking and deplorable incident involving minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan. The incidents have been strongly condemned and asked for the immediate safe return of the girls to their families," government sources said. India has time and again lodged several protests over the abduction and forced marriage of women from the Hindu community in the neighboring country. Recently, an angry group of local residents pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on January 3. The group was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of gurdwara's panthi, last year. India had strongly condemned the "wanton acts of destruction and desecration" at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, and called upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. Days later, the body of Sikh youth, identified as Ravinder Singh, was found in the Chamkani police station area of Peshawar. The deceased was the brother of an Islamabad-based journalist, Harmeet Singh. India had also shared strong concerns raised by members of civil society, parliamentarians, and others at the "continued persecution of religious and ethnic minorities" in Pakistan.

India calls Pak official, lodges strong protest over abduction of Hindu girls

The United Kingdom on Thursday slammed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-issue-attempt-made-by-pakistan-through-china-to-misuse-unsc-platform-says-india-274661">Pakistan</a> and said that the Imran Khan-led government must do more to act against terrorism if it wants to prevent the FATF blacklisting.

The UK asked for "non-reversible" action against terrorism from Pakistan.

"All the evidence against Pakistan has been put on the table. Pakistan has taken some action...there has been some progress. Pakistan has to do a lot more and take non-reversible action," Gareth Bayley, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director for South Asia, said during an interactive session at Raisina Dialogue 2020.

Bayley added that it is clear that terror groups are operating from Pakistan's territory and pose "a serious challenge to the Pakistan government and the South Asian region as well".

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Pakistan, at present, is on FATF's greylist since 2018. The watchdog has granted an extension to Islamabad till February 2020. Pakistan faces the possibility of getting blacklisted by the FATF if it fails to comply with the remaining 22 out of 27 points related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

Bayley also reacted over the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-trying-daily-to-prevent-military-confrontation-rouhani-274650">tensions between the United States&nbsp;and Iran</a> after US strikes at Iraq's Baghdad International Airport killed Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3. He called for a de-escalation of tension between the two nations.

Bayley added that the UK has a "really deep" counter-terrorism dialogue with India and can share the experience with India "just as India has a lot of experience to share".&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

The United Kingdom on Thursday slammed Pakistan and said that the Imran Khan-led government must do more to act against terrorism if it wants to prevent the FATF blacklisting.

The United Kingdom on Thursday slammed Pakistan and said that the Imran Khan-led government must do more to act against terrorism if it wants to prevent the FATF blacklisting. The UK asked for "non-reversible" action against terrorism from Pakistan. "All the evidence against Pakistan has been put on the table. Pakistan has taken some action...there has been some progress. Pakistan has to do a lot more and take non-reversible action," Gareth Bayley, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director for South Asia, said during an interactive session at Raisina Dialogue 2020. Bayley added that it is clear that terror groups are operating from Pakistan's territory and pose "a serious challenge to the Pakistan government and the South Asian region as well". Also read: FATF calls for stricter actions from Pakistan on crackdown of terror groups Pakistan, at present, is on FATF's greylist since 2018. The watchdog has granted an extension to Islamabad till February 2020. Pakistan faces the possibility of getting blacklisted by the FATF if it fails to comply with the remaining 22 out of 27 points related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. Bayley also reacted over the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran after US strikes at Iraq's Baghdad International Airport killed Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3. He called for a de-escalation of tension between the two nations. Bayley added that the UK has a "really deep" counter-terrorism dialogue with India and can share the experience with India "just as India has a lot of experience to share". (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan should do more to take non-reversible action against terror: United Kingdom