Special news dispatch and reports from "That Side Of The World"

July 15, 2015

Talks with Sharif: Modi faces criticism at home for “diluting India ’s principle position”

NEW DELHI : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing strong criticism in his country for weakening India ’s position during his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Ufa , Russia . India ’s leading daily The Hindu in its article mentioned senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma who lashed out at Modi for diluting India ’s “principled position” on 26/11 case by signing a joint statement with his Pakistani counterpart.  “There was no reason for the joint statement after the PM’s meeting and it being presented by Pakistan in a different manner to embarrass India on the world stage,” Anand Sharma said.  He said there was no justification for the statement.  “The Prime Minister embarrassed India by saying we have to give more evidence in the 26/11 attacks. We handed over a complete dossier years ago. Mr. Modi has scored a self-goal,” he said.  The daily Hindustan Times said the 60-minute meet between Sharif and Modi had both sides raising all issues of concerns including Balochistan [interference] by Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor by India . Press Trust of India , India ’s largest news agency too quoted Congress that dubbed the talks as mere “eyewash”.  “The value and importance of the joint statement is not even worth the paper on which it is written, which is clear now,” Anand Sharma said. Targeting Modi over the issue, Sharma said that Modi must explain on what grounds he took the “big step”.  “Prime Minister [Modi] will have to reply to the nation on what grounds did he do it? What was the assurance which satisfied him to take such a big step?” Terming the Modi government’s approach to Pakistan inconsistent, Sharma said, “PM was ill-advised. He has no clarity or coherence in dealing with Pakistan .”

Pakistan lauds nuclear deal with Iran as positive development

WASHINGTON : Pakistan ’s Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani welcomed a nuclear deal reached between Iran and six major world powers on Tuesday after two years of intense negotiations. “ Iran +P5 Nuclear Agreement is a positive development and would auger well for regional and global peace and stability,” the Ambassador said in comments after the deal was announced by U.S. President Barack Obama in a televised address. The deal capped two years of intense negotiations between Iran and United Kingdom , France , Germany , Russia , China , the United States and the European Union. In a televised address, President Obama described the agreement as a “comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” “Every pathway to a nuclear weapon is cut off,” he said and added that because of this deal Iran will not produce the highly enriched uranium and weapons-grade plutonium that form the raw materials necessary for a nuclear bomb. Under the deal, Iran will remove two-thirds of its installed centrifuges and store them under constant international supervision. Iran will not use its advanced centrifuges to produce enriched uranium for the next decade. Iran will also get rid of 98 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium. The deal will now be debated by the US Congress but President Obama made it clear that he would veto any legislation that “prevents the successful implementation of this deal”. “I am confident that this deal will meet the national security interest of the United States and our allies.” President Obama said that as Iran takes steps to implement this deal, it would receive relief from the sanctions put in place both by the United States as well as sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council. “This relief will be phased in. Iran must complete key nuclear steps before it begins to receive new sanctions relief. And over the course of the next decade, Iran must abide by the deal before additional sanctions are lifted, including five years for restrictions related to arms, and eight years for restrictions related to ballistic missiles,” he said. President Obama also telephoned King Salman of Saudi Arab and Crown Prince Mohammad Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and shared details of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed between Iran and the world powers, the White House announced. According to the key excerpts of the JCPOA posted on the White House’s official website, Iran reaffirmed that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop, or acquire any nuclear weapons. The JCPOA will produce produce the comprehensive lifting of all UN Security Council sanctions as well as multilateral and national sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear programme.

Lockheed Martin to upgrade Pak F-16 fleet

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Air Force has sent a follow-on foreign military sale contract to Lockheed Martin to produce and upgrade Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) for its F-16 fleet. The contract includes the upgrade of Pakistan ’s existing 22 Sniper ATPs as well as the production of 15 new Sniper ATPs. Delivery will begin late in 2015 to satisfy Pakistan ’s urgent operational needs. Upgrades will also begin in late 2015 and they will increase compatibility with the aircraft and enable enhanced features. “Sniper ATP has supported the Pakistan Air Force’s mission since 2010,” said Rich Lovette, Sniper international programme director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Additional Sniper ATPs and upgrades will give the Pakistan Air Force a more robust precision targetting capability to support the nation’s security requirements.” Sniper ATP enables pilots to have high-resolution imagery for precision targetting, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It also detects, identifies, automatically tracks and laser designates small tactical targets at long ranges. Apart from that, it also enables the use of all laser and GPS-guided weapons against various fixed and moving targets. Further, Sniper ATP can be operated on multiple platforms, including US Air Force and multi-national F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1 and B-52 aircraft.

Pakistan shoots down Indian spy drone near LoC

RAWALPINDI : Pakistan military shot down an Indian spy drone along the Line of Control, according to Inter Services Public Relations on Wednesday. The spy drone, used for photography, was downed in Bhimber area near LoC after it intruded in Pakistani territory, the ISPR said. The debris of the spy drone is in possession of security forces while ISPR also released a photograph of the spy drone. Pakistan has summoned Indian High Commissioner to Foreign Office tomorrow to lodge protest.

Undemocratic forces conspiring to snatch Karachi from MQM: Altaf

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain accused “civilian governments and undemocratic forces” of “joining hands to employ legal and illegal tactics to snatch Karachi away from the MQM”, according to a statement posted on the party’s website on Wednesday. The remarks were made in a telephonic address to MQM Punjab President Senator Mian Ateeq and the MQM Organising Committee during which Hussain said, “Civilian and non-civilian governments have allied to jointly conduct operations to put an end to the MQM repeatedly.” The MQM supremo said Pakistan ’s civilian and non-civilian institutions had not learnt any lessons even after the MQM’s “historic NA-246 victory” in the by-elections for the hotly-disputed constituency earlier this year. He added that these institutions had left no stone unturned in order to defeat the MQM during the by-elections, and said, “No one can capture Karachi by means of conspiratorial tactics.” Earlier this week, the MQM supremo accused Director General Sindh Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar of violating the army’s code of conduct, following which, multiple First Information Reports were lodged against him - for what the government regards as ‘inflammatory speech’ - in various parts of Sindh.

Pakistan , China sign agreement for grant of USD 10 mln

ISLAMABAD : Ambassador of China to Pakistan , Sun Weidong and Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Muhammad Saleem Sethi, signed an agreement on behalf of their respective governments on award of special grant. According to the agreement, grant of USD 10 million in cash will be provided to support Pakistan Government in rehabilitation of residents in FATA and promote social development in FATA. The Government of China, it may be mentioned had earlier approved a grant amounting to US $ 129 million for the development and rehabilitation of FATA region. In this regard, various projects and programs will be implemented with assistance of the Chinese Government. Moreover, the Government of China has also shown willingness to provide more assistance for up-gradation and betterment of FATA region. Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a message, has welcomed signing of the agreement which he said would help in addressing the issue of rehabilitation of TDPs in FATA. Dar said it was also another good example of the sound Pak-China economic cooperation.  He said it was one of the top priorities of the Government to look after the TDPs and make endeavours for their early rehabilitation. The Minister hoped that remaining funds would also be utilized for TDPs as early as possible.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by two wickets to level the series 1-1

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka chased 288-run target in the penultimate over against Pakistan to bag a two-wicket win to level the five-match series 1-1 in Pallekele on Wednesday. Pakistan, who decided to bat first after winning the toss, scored 287-8 in their 50 overs courtesy Azhar Ali (79), Shoaib Malik (51) and Rizwan Ahmed’s (52) half centuries. Lasith Malinga and debutante Sachith Pathirana bagged two wickets each for the hosts. In reply, Sri Lanka were fired to 92 runs in just eight overs by Kusal Perera’s 68 off 25 balls. He hit 13 fours and two sixes in the process. After Kusal fell, Sri Lanka’s scoring rate went down and at one point they lost the grip of the match but Chandimal and Pathirana (33 off 28 balls) made sure the team went as near the finishing line as possible. Thisara Perera then helped Chandimal as the hosts chased the target with 11 balls remaining to level the series. It was the tale of two lefties in Pallekele. Kusal Perera hammered Sri Lanka ’s joint fastest fifty in ODIs, which made a target of 288 look like a cakewalk. But when Pakistan’s tenacity brought them back and put the game on a razor’s edge - 92 runs needed off 112 balls with only four wickets left - debutant Sachith Pathirana produced a decisive cameo -33 off 28 - to help the hosts square the series with an action-packed two-wicket victory. Pakistan deserve credit for finding their senses after Kusal bashed them silly. He reached his half-century off 17 balls, filled with pick-up shots over the leg side very much like the one who’s record he equaled, Sanath Jayasuriya. The innings lasted only 25 balls, but by the time he creamed one of the bevy of length balls that Pakistan paraded for him down the throat of deep square leg, Sri Lanka were 82 for 1 in the ninth over. At the same time, the visitors had been 27 for 0. Slow and steady does have a history of winning the race, but it was the hare’s day today. The tortoise, of course, did not throw it away. Even with three runs required off 18 balls, Anwar Ali got a leading edge from Thisara Perera to settle in point’s hands. But as that was happening, Dinesh Chandimal had made sure to cross. Chandimal, who had produced a fine half-century four days ago but ended up on the losing side, did not want to feel that disappointment again. He struck a measured 48 off 63 balls and was there until the end, as per his new role as a finisher, and sealed the third highest chase in Sri Lanka . The next match will be played on Sunday July 19.

July 14, 2015

Iran , big powers clinch historic nuclear deal

VIENNA: Iran and six major world powers reached a nuclear deal on Tuesday, capping more than a decade of negotiations with an agreement that could transform the Middle East, and which Israel called an “historic surrender”. Under the deal, sanctions imposed by the United States , European Union and United Nations would be lifted in return for Iran agreeing long-term curbs on a nuclear program that the West has suspected was aimed at creating a nuclear bomb. Reaching a deal is a major policy victory for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iran ’s President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist elected two years ago on a vow to reduce the diplomatic isolation of a country of 77 million people. But both leaders face scepticism from powerful hardliners at home after decades of enmity between nations that referred to each other as “the Great Satan” and a member of the “axis of evil”. While the main negotiations were between the United States and Iran , the four other U.N. Security Council permanent members Britain , China , France and Russia are also parties to the deal, as is Germany .  “All the hard work has paid off and we sealed a deal. God bless our people,” an Iranian diplomat told on condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal “a bad mistake of historic proportions”. “ Iran will get a jackpot, a cash bonanza of hundreds of billions of dollars, which will enable it to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region and in the world,” he said. “ Iran is going to receive a sure path to nuclear weapons.” Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely called the deal an “historic surrender”. She said on Twitter that Israel would “act with all means to try and stop the agreement being ratified”, a clear threat to try to use its influence to block it in the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress. Congress has 60 days to review the deal, and if it votes to disapprove of it, Obama can veto the rejection. It would require two thirds of lawmakers to override such a veto, which means some of Obama’s fellow Democrats would have to rebel against one of the signature achievements of their president in order to kill the deal. Final talks in Vienna involved nearly three weeks of talks between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran ’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, unprecedented between countries that have been enemies since Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 and took 52 Americans hostage. For Obama, the diplomacy with Iran , begun in secret more than two years ago, ranks alongside his normalization of ties with Cuba as landmarks in a legacy of reaching out to enemies that tormented his predecessors for decades. Iran’s hatred of the United States, a defining trait of its ruling system, was on display only last week, when it marked the end of the Ramadan fasting month with an annual day of protests, with crowds chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”. Iran ’s IRNA news agency said billions of dollars in frozen funds would be released under the deal, and sanctions on its central bank, national oil company, shipping and airlines would be lifted. It will retain the right to enrich some uranium, at an amount Western countries say keeps it from stockpiling enough to make a nuclear weapon, which it has always denied is its aim.

Pakistan hopes Iran nuclear deal will help build gas pipeline

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan hoped on Tuesday that the landmark deal on the Iran nuclear programme will remove all hurdles in way of the building of the long-awaited multi-billion gas pipeline. The Iran-Pakistan or IP gas pipeline could not be built despite a series of agreements because of international sanctions on Iran . Iran and six major countries China , Britain , France , Russia , the United States and Germany Tuesday reached an agreement in Vienna on the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz s welcomed nuclear deal and said his country has always emphasized the need for resolution of the nuclear dispute through dialogue. Talking to the media Mr Aziz expressed the confidence that after lifting of economic sanctions, “ Iran would integrate with regional and global economic markets and this would benefit different countries, including Pakistan ,” he said. He pointed out that before sanctions bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran had reached two billion US dollars which came down to just 300 million dollar. “The lifting of sanctions would also help boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran ,” he added. He said there is great demand for Pakistani goods in Iran but mode of payment was the biggest hurdle because of sanctions on Iran . Iran and the six major world powers reached the deal to end the decade-old standoff over Iran ’s nuclear program after more than two weeks of bargaining in Vienna . Iran had insisted on lifting all sanctions, including a UN embargo of conventional weapons. However, western powers were reluctant to give in on the issue, voicing concerns that missiles could be used to deliver nuclear war heads. Petroleum Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has said work on the gas pipeline could begin in September. Official say Iran has laid most part of the pipeline on its soil but Pakistan has yet to start work. The pipeline will enter Pakistan via its Balochistan province.

Fresh air strikes kill 14 terrorists in North Waziristan (Operation against extremists in Khyber Agency completed: ISPR)

RAWALPINDI : Jet strike of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the Alwara area of North Waziristan left at least 14 militants dead, military media wing ISPR said here on Tuesday. Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed that the airstrike was carried as part of the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb in the region of North Waziristan . “At least 14 militants were killed including top commanders in the airstrike as the PAF jets pounded the militant hideouts”, ISPR said. Pakistan forces launched offensive operation against terrorists in North Wazirisatan in June last year and since more that 90 percent area has been cleared from militants. Militant attacks in the country have dropped to six years low after one year of operation Zarb-e-Azb. Meanwhile,  spokesman to Pakistan Army Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa on Tuesday stated that action against extremists in Khyber Agency has been finished whereas the army is also ardent in completing operation Zarb-e-Azb as early as possible. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), he said that first phase of operation against militants in North Waziristan has also been completed and vowed to clear Shawaal from the possession of terrorists as soon as possible. Responding to a question related to Zarb-e-Azb, Asim Bajwa reiterated to continue the operatioon till the elimination of last militant from the area. He said that Pakistan Army also wants to finish Zarb-e-Azb at its earliest and told the media that the operation has claimed lives of several criminals and terrorists.

27 crushed to death in India holy river stampede

GODAVARI , India : A stampede on the banks of a holy river killed at least 27 pilgrims Tuesday in southern India , signalling a tragic beginning to a religious festival season, officials said. The stampede broke out at around 8:00 am (0230 GMT) in Rajahmundry, on the border of the twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, about two hours after the start of the Maha Pushkaralu festival which sees thousands of people bathe in the waters of the Godavari river.“Twenty-seven people have now been confirmed dead in the stampede and another 29 are injured,” a spokesman for Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said after police earlier put the number of dead at five.  “At least two of the 29 injured are critical,” the spokesman Parakala Prabhakar told media. While the identities of all the victims had yet to become clear, a senior police officer said the dead included at least four women and a 15-year-old girl. “The incident happened as the first set of worshippers were coming out of the river after taking a dip and then got in the way of others who wanted to be in the water at an auspicious time,” A. Srinivasan Rao, a deputy superintendent of police in Andhra Pradesh, told. In a statement posted on his official Twitter account, Prime Minster Narendra Modi said he was “deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry” and offered condolences to the families of victims, as well as prayers for survivors.The chief minister’s spokesman Prabhakar said that an ex-gratia compensation payment of one million rupees (around $15,750) had already been approved for victims of the stampede and the state government would bear the full medical costs of the injured. The start of the Maha Pushkaralu festival coincides  with the official beginning of the much larger Kumbh Mela festival, which is being held at Nashik in the western state of Maharashtra.Millions of pilgrims are expected to travel to Nashik over the next two months, the site of a stampede in which 39 people were killed when the Kumbh was last held there 12 years ago. Only a few hundred people attended a flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday which marked the official opening of the 2015 festival and mass crowds are not expected to gather until the first main bathing day on August 29.  Organisers expect up to ten million pilgrims to attend the main Kumbh Mela bathing dates, which fall on August 29, September 13 and September 18, and 20,000 police are being deployed to man the crowds.  Routes to the river have been changed to avoid steep slopes and overcrowding, while a temporary intensive care unit has been set up to deal urgently with any injured. The dates for the Kumbh Mela and the Pushkaralu festivals are set by religious leaders to coincide with the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.

Nawaz-Modi meeting important step forward: Joe Biden

WASHINGTON: The US Vice President Joe Biden has termed the recent meeting between Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India as an important step forward towards peaceful dialogue. Addressing a function in Washington, he hoped it would lead to more such dialogue. He said the US strongly encourages both sides to build on this strategic avenue for peace. Friday’s meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi may be seen as an icebreaker given the escalating tensions between the two neighbours. However, back in Pakistan, the government came under scathing criticism from certain opposition parties, which accused Prime Minister Nawaz of giving in to India’s demand. These parties were, in particular, expressing concerns over what they called the prime minister’s failure to raise the Kashmir dispute as well as India’s alleged interference in Pakistan’s internal matters. A five-point joint statement issued after the Ufa talks laid emphasis on discussions related to terrorism, including the issue of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks.

India to go by Ufa statement, plays down remarks by Sartaz Aziz

NEW DELHI: India will go by the joint statement issued after Ufa talks between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif and remarks by Sartaz Aziz will not affect the road for engagement agreed to by the two leaders, Indian state media reported on Tuesday. Playing down comments by Pakistan Prime Minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs, Indian officials said Aziz did not say anything which affected the “actionable propositions” agreed upon during talks between Modi and Sharif in Ufa last week on the sidelines of the SCO summit and his remarks were ostensibly aimed at “domestic audience”. They said India was looking forward for implementation of the decisions agreed upon in the meeting. Describing the joint statement as a “considered, honest, accurate and reasonable summary of the substance” of the talks, the sources said for India what Islamabad tells is important and not what they say to the domestic audience. It was Modi’s idea to have a joint media interaction by foreign secretaries of both the countries after the talks following which the two sides drafted the statement, the sources said. Three days after talks between Modi and Sharif, Aziz had issued a statement on Monday in Islamabad in which he asked for “more evidence and information” from India on the Mumbai attack case and asserted that talks cannot take place without Kashmir being on the agenda. Viewing that Aziz may have made the statement for the domestic audience, Indian officials said it was a “kind of a mix and match exercise” as the comments included known Pakistani positions along with what Aziz claimed figured in talks between the two Prime Ministers at Ufa. “The fact that he (Aziz) is offering additional comments obviously speaks of a certain situation there,” said Indian officials. They said one should not “pre-judge” possible outcome of a process which is yet to start. Modi had raised the Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi issue as well as Mumbai attack trial case in the meeting, they said. They said the joint statement was like a summary of what was actually said and agreed upon at the meeting and it was prepared with great rapidity, adding that it was signed by the Pakistani side. They said India was looking forward to talks between NSAs and DGMOs of the two countries.

India biggest recipient of US economic assistance over 66-year period: USAID

NEW YORK: The United States, over the period 1946-2012, has given India the largest amount of economic assistance, while providing Israel the greatest quantity of military assistance over the same interval, according to data compiled by USAID. The US also gave Israel the greatest total foreign assistance over the 66-year period, at $199 billion. The data, which is inflation adjusted, shows India received approximately $65.1bn in economic assistance from 1946 until 2012, followed closely by Israel, which was given $65bn. With $44.4bn received as economic assistance from the US, Pakistan is also among the top five countries to receive economic assistance out of a total of 200 countries and regions. Top 10 countries receiving US economic assistance from 1946-2012, India: $65.1bn, Israel: $65bn, United Kingdom: $63.6bn, Egypt: $59.6bn, Pakistan: $44.4bn, Vietnam: $41bn, Iraq: $39.7bn, South Korea: $36.5bn, Germany: $33.3bn and France: $31bn. Indian economic aid is spread out over various sectors and programs, including child survival and health, development assistance, HIV/AIDS initiatives, migration and refugee assistance, food aid, and narcotics control. The bulk of this aid ($26bn) is provided to various USAID programmes. A majority of Israel’s $65bn economic assistance was given to its Economic Support Fund and Security Support Assistance, with $56.5bn alone attributed to these programmes. In comparison, of the $44.4bn provided to Pakistan in economic assistance, $13.8bn is given to USAID programmes, while $13.7bn is attributed to the Economic Support Fund and Security Support Assistance. Pakistan just misses being on the top 10 list, coming in at twelfth place with $12.9bn in military assistance from the US. India, however, is placed at 47 out of a list of 193 countries, receiving $897 million in military assistance. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan received most of the military assistance from the US during the superpower’s involvement in Afghanistan during the 1980s and then after 2001. The US non-military aid to Pakistan for the period 1991-2001 averaged just $75 million per year, while the total military aid during the eleven-year period was a paltry $7 million.

July 13, 2015

51 insurgents killed in military operations in Afghanistan

KABUL :  At least 51 insurgents have been killed in newest military operations across the country, Ministry of Defense announced on Monday. A statement issued by the ministry states that the operations were conducted in Kunar, Nangarhar, Kapisa, Maidan Wardak, Paktia, Paktika, Urozgan, Ghazni, Daikundi, Zabul, Helmand and Kandahar provinces in past 24 hours. The statement adds that 51 insurgents were killed and 16 others wounded in these operations. According to the statement those killed include a foreign fighter and a Taliban commander by the name of Mohammad Wali and those wounded also include a foreigner. The statement further adds that seven soldiers from Afghan National Army have been killed due to landmine explosions and insurgent fire. The statement does not specify the exact location of the incidents. Afghan security forces have launched large-scale independent operations against militants across the country. National security forces started conducting independent operations after taking full responsibility from NATO forces at the beginning of this year. Ministry of Defense claims to have killed thousands of militants during these operations.

No dialogue with India sans Kashmir on agenda: Sartaj

ISLAMABAD : Advisor to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Monday said no dialogue with India will take place without Kashmir on the agenda.  “ Pakistan ’s stance on the core issue of Kashmir is clear. We will continue extending moral, political and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren,” the Advisor said in his briefing to media here at the Foreign Office. The briefing was the follow-up of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Ufa , Russia from July 9-10 where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and met leaders of other countries including China , India , Russia and Afghanistan .  On Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, he said after a gap of 13 months, it was a “good beginning”. In response to criticism on Pakistan side for not including Kashmir in the Joint Statement, he said the meeting was not the formal start of any dialogue process. Rather, it served an important purpose to achieve an understanding to engage in a structured dialogue on all issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir , he added.  He mentioned that the Joint Statement issued clearly recognizes that “ India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development. To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues”.  He said of all outstanding issues, Kashmir topped the list besides other important issues like Siachen, Sir Creek, interference and water dispute. He said Kashmiris’ right to self-determination has not been granted despite suffering of their three generations and added that Pakistan stand by Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle. He mentioned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had affirmed this principled position in clear and unequivocal terms during his speech at UN General Assembly session.  The Advisor dismissed the impression that Pakistan exhibited any apologetic approach towards India at Ufa and said the meeting, which was held at the request of Indian side, was cordial with a frank discussion held on each other’s concerns. He said the two sides also agreed to revive Track-II dialogue to explore ways of resolving issues that were lingering for a long and needed to be resolved in order to give peace a chance. Modalities of this track would be worked out through diplomatic channels, he added. Sartaj Aziz said to address Pakistan’s concern on Indian interference in Pakistan including continuing support for insurgency in Balochistan and India’s accusations of cross-border terrorism, the two sides agreed for their National Security Advisors to meet first in New Delhi and then in Islamabad. Also, the two sides agreed that the existing mechanism of regular meetings between Director Generals of Pakistan Rangers and India Border Security Force, followed by the meeting of Director General Military Operations, should be held to ensure full compliance with the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding. Advisor to PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz said the Sharif-Modi meeting came about in the wake of growing international support for Pakistan ’s foreign policy stance.  He said on Mumbai trial case, Pakistan ’s view in the meeting was focus on more evidence and additional information to expedite the trial. He said Nawaz Sharif also sought information on the progress, made on the trial of Samjhauta Express terrorist incident. He said issues of bilateral trade also came up, which would now be followed up through different channels.  The Advisor said July 10, 2015 was a very important day in the diplomatic history of Pakistan as the SCO took a unanimous formal decision to admit Pakistan and India into the Organization. The process has been launched and after formalities are completed like ratification of SCO documents, Pakistan will become a full-fledged member of the SCO, he added.  He said the Organization can play an important role in shaping a conducive regional environment that would bring peace and prosperity to all SCO members.  The Advisor deliberated upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with world leaders on the sidelines of SCO summit. During the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said the two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral relationship in all spheres particularly in trade, investment and defence. Also, a number of decisions were taken which are now being followed up. He said the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of China provided a welcome opportunity to review, at the highest level, status of progress made in implementing the decisions taken during President Xi’s visit to Pakistan this April with regard to China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other avenues of multi-faceted cooperation.  The meeting with Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan reaffirmed mutual resolve to maintain the upward trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan , he said.  The Advisor said for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a peaceful neighborhood is the centre-piece of his foreign policy vision. “Our [ Pakistan ’s] reach out to our neighbors and constructive engagement with the rest of the world is predicated on our firm commitment to protect our security and promote our national interests,” he said.

Iran nuclear talks in final phase

VIENNA : Talks between world powers and Iran on a historic nuclear deal entered Sunday what France described as the “final phase”, but Washington warned major issues must still be overcome. Hopes grew that a breakthrough might finally be in sight after a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of the latest deadline on Monday for an agreement. “I hope we are finally entering the final phase of these marathon negotiations. I believe it,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told reporters as he returned to Vienna on the haggle’s 16th day. The talks seek to nail down a deal curbing Iran ’s nuclear activities to make it extremely difficult for Tehran — which denies any such goal — to develop the atomic bomb. In return Iran will be granted staggered relief from painful sanctions, although the six powers insist on the option of reimposing the restrictions if Tehran breaches the deal. Despite the air of optimism in the Austrian capital, US and Iranian officials dampened speculation that an agreement was imminent. “We have never speculated about the timing of anything during these negotiations, and we’re certainly not going to start now — especially given the fact that major issues remain to be resolved in these talks,” a senior US State Department official said. Iranian diplomat Alireza Miryousefi, writing on Twitter, quoted a senior official from Tehran as saying a deal by Sunday night was “logistically impossible” as the agreement being drawn up spanned 100 pages. Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry, who has been embroiled in talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna since June 27, was cautiously upbeat. “I think we’re getting to some real decisions. So I will say, because we have a few tough things to do, I remain hopeful. Hopeful,” Kerry said, calling his latest meeting with Zarif “positive”. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini who chairs the P5+1 group — the US , Russia , China , Britain , France and Germany — negotiating with Iran said on Twitter that these were the “decisive hours”. And a diplomatic source said on Saturday as a flurry of bilateral and multilateral meetings went deep into the night that “98 percent of the text is finished”. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flew to join the talks in Vienna , his ministry said. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, however, left the talks on Sunday but was expected to return the next morning. Under the parameters of a framework deal reached in Lausanne in April, Iran is to slash the number of its centrifuges from more than 19,000 to just over 6,000 and sharply cut its stocks of enriched uranium. Negotiators left the thorniest issues until last, including a mechanism for lifting interlocking EU , US and UN sanctions. A new hurdle was thrown up in recent days, with the Iranian delegation insisting a UN arms embargo be lifted once a deal is reached. The talks have also stumbled on demands to give UN nuclear inspectors access to military sites, to probe suspicions Iran sought to develop nuclear weapons in the past. A final agreement would be a diplomatic victory for US President Barack Obama, who has made the talks a centrepiece of his foreign policy, and for his Iranian opposite Hassan Rouhani, a moderate seeking to end his country’s diplomatic isolation. Both have faced opposition from hardliners at home, as well as from Iran ’s arch-foe Israel , believed to be the Middle East ’s only nuclear-armed state, although it has never confirmed it.

Nawaz Sharif meets Saudi Arabia 's King

MAKKAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif performed Umrah and met King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. According to a PM House statement, the Saudi King also hosted an Iftar dinner in honour of the Prime Minister. The meeting lasted for about an hour held at Al-Safa Palace in the holy city of Makkah . During the meeting, they discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and discussed the latest developments at regional and international arenas. The meeting was attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister; Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Defense Minister; Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban who is the accompanying Minister; Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel bin Zaid Al-Toraifi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir as well as the Minister of Finance of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar. According to Saudi official media, the Prime Minister also extended condolences to the Saudi King on the death of former Saudi Foreign Minister Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Iran changes law to make divorce invalid

TEHRAN : Iran has changed a law to make divorce by mutual consent invalid unless couples have first undergone state-run counselling, the country’s latest move to tackle a rise in broken marriages. The measures, reported by media at the weekend, are contained in a new family law that a top official said would be implemented by Iran ’s judiciary. “A decree of divorce by mutual consent, without counselling, is forbidden,” Parnian Ghavam, head of the judiciary’s social work and counselling office, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. All Iranians filing for divorce would be obliged to go to a counsellor, she said. “From now on, without this it will not be possible to register divorces of mutual consent.” Iran ’s average divorce rate peaked at 21 percent last year, with big cities showing far higher rates. One in three marriages fails in Tehran . In its northern quarter, home to the more affluent Western-leaning metropolitan elite, the figure is more than 40 percent. And most divorces are by mutual consent. “The adviser’s intention is to decrease the rate of divorce, in particular the rate of divorces of mutual consent,” Ghavam was quoted as saying on Saturday. The official reasons for splitting up in Iran are a lack of affection, family interference, domestic violence and drug addiction. The new law says the aim of counselling is “to consolidate the foundations of the family and prevent an increase in family conflicts and divorce and try to create peace and reconciliation.” After counselling a couple, the state-appointed adviser’s role is to assess if either partner has behavioural or character disorders. If so the counsellor can rule that the couple needs more sessions and it is his or her word that a judge must act on in deciding whether or not to approve a divorce.

July 12, 2015

Enduring partnership with Pakistan in US interest, says Joint Chiefs Nominee

WASHINGTON : General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. at a recent hearing on his nomination as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has observed that it was in US interest to have an “enduring partnership” with Pakistan .  He said the relationship was fundamental to US vital national security interests.”We will need to continue cooperation with Pakistan to defeat al-Qaeda, support Pakistan ’s stability, and achieve a lasting peace in Afghanistan .” There are common strategic interests of defeating al-Qaeda, ensuring regional stability and furthering the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. During the hearing, Gen Dunford, responded to questions on issues ranging from challenges of nuclear weapons, countering ISIL in Iraq and Syria , Afghanistan campaign and relations with Pakistan . The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee was held on July 9. According to the advanced questions and replies from the general, posted on the official website of the US Senate, Gen.  Dunford said that Pakistan and the United States also share the goal of a stable peaceful Afghanistan . Asked what would be his recommendations, if any, regarding the reduction or cessation of Coalition Support Funds as U.S.   troops presence draws down in Afghanistan , he replied  “It is in our interests to have an enduring partnership with Pakistan ”. “As our mission in Afghanistan transitions, there remains a need for our mutually beneficial relationship,” he added.  On the current relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan , he said it appeared to have improved since the election of President Ghani. “It is clear that security in Afghanistan and Pakistan are linked. Both sides are working to ensure that concrete steps are taken to enhance their bi-lateral relationship and cooperation.” To a question he said:  “Their actions in North Waziristan and other areas of western Pakistan have disrupted groups that are a threat to U.S. personnel and objectives in Afghanistan .” He lauded Pakistan ’s support in maintaining transit and provide security along the ground lines of communication (GLOCs) through Pakistan . To another question, he said that Pakistan was taking demonstrable steps to disrupt the improvised explosive devices (IED) network. “ Pakistan recognizes that improvised explosive devices (IED) are a shared problem. They suffer significant casualties within Pakistan due to IED attacks.  We are making progress in the area of counter-IED cooperation,” he said.

12 killed in roadside bombings in Afghanistan ; Forces kill 37 militants, bolster position in Faryab province

KABUL/MAIMANA: At least 12 Afghan civilians have been killed in two separate roadside bomb explosions in the country’s east and north, according to Afghan security officials. Gen Abdul Karim Fayeq, provincial police chief in Kapsia province, said on Sunday that 10 civilians were killed and at least seven others wounded after their van hit by a newly planted roadside bomb. The attack took place in Tagab district, where insurgents are active and regularly attack Afghan security forces, said Fayeq. In another report from northern Kunduz province, two civilians were killed when a roadside bomb explosion struck a passing police vehicle, said Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, spokesman for the provincial police chief. Hussaini added that four civilians and two policemen were also wounded in the blast. No group immediately claimed responsibilities for the attacks in Kapisa and Kunduz provinces, but the Taliban frequently uses roadside bombs and suicide attacks to target Afghan army or police forces across the country. Meanwhile, Afghan security forces have killed 37 Taliban militants and bolstered positions in several districts of Faryab province with Maimana as its capital 425 km northwest of Kabul over the past one week, provincial police chief, Subhan Qul Ibrahim said Sunday. “A total of 37 armed Taliban rebels have been killed, 31 others injured and two more others captured,” Ibrahimi told reporters at a news conference here. Several villages have been liberated from the clutches of Taliban outfit in Qaisar, Almar, Khawja Sabzposh and Shirin Tagab districts during the operations, the official said, adding the security forces have strengthened their positions in the said districts forcing militants to flee. He didn’t say if there were casualties on security personnel. Taliban militants who have stepped up their activities since launching their so-called spring offensive on April 24 and have captured territory in the northern Kunduz and Baghlan provinces were close to capture some districts in Faryab province. To boost security forces morale, Afghan interior ministry Nurul Haq Ulomi visited Faryab provinces couple of days ago and assured to destroy militancy in the province. “The operation to smash militants would continue in Faryab province till ensuring lasting peace there,” police chief Ibrahimi said. Taliban militants fighting the government haven’t made comment.

Forces to clear Shawal of terrorists in second phase: ISPR

RAWALPINDI : Military Spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa has expressed the hope that security forces would clear the rugged mountainous Shawal Valley from the terrorists in the second phase of the offensive. “The Security forces have inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists in the preliminary operation in Shawal Valley ,” the Director Genera Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) told NNI in an exclusive interview on Sunday. To a question about the conclusion of the operation, he said he cannot give a timeframe to complete the operation and said that the operation is making substantial progress. “I cannot give timeframe but I say we are achieving our objectives, however, the understanding is to complete the operation as soon as possible. The operation Zarb-e-Azab is continuing under a plan.” he said. He said the preliminary phase of the operation in Shawal Valley has been completed and the next phase is being planned. “As the terrorists amassed in Shawal Valley after fleeing from other parts of North Waziristan , the security forces have faced some resistance but the enemy has suffered a lot.” “There could be some resistance in the next phase of the operation in the valley, whatsoever the situation might be, the army is determined to move forward, I am hopeful that all areas would be cleared of from the terrorists soon.” The Spokesman said the army and the locals tribesmen have agreed that terrorists would never be allowed to come back once the whole area is cleared of. “The people think that they have rid of the terrorists and no one will again support them. The state position is also very clear that there would be no agreement with the Taliban and no question of their return arises.” When asked if the army have any plan to win hearts and minds of the people after defeating the armed groups, he said winning hearts and minds of the people is not possible within two or three days. “The brave people of tribal areas are our own and we are proud of them and we will go hand-in-hand and I am hopeful that they will stand with the armed forces for the development in their areas.” To a question about repatriation of TDPs, he said the process has already been started and some people have gone back adding that many people would return their homes in next phase. The government and the Pakistan army have prepared a comprehensive repatriation plan and funds also been allocated in the budget, he held. General Asim said that initial estimate of the rehabilitation stands at around Rs 89 billion. The rehabilitation will start with the provision of funds. He said a survey for the rehabilitation and restoration of infrastructure is underway and the army has already started some rehabilitation work in the area. General Bajwa said the rehabilitation process is not an easy task and the authorities are making sure that the retunrees should get all facilities. To a question about the fire incident in Bannu last month in which two TDPs were killed, he said an investigation committee has been formed to ascertain facts of the said incident.

Nawaz Sharif to pay condolence to Saudi Royal family

July 11, 2015

Dai’sh regional chief killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD : Afghan intelligence agency said on Saturday the chief of Islamic State for Orakzai and the self-styled Khorasan region ( Pakistan , Afghanistan and some adjoining regions), Hafiz Saeed Khan, was killed in a US drone strike. “Based on NDS (National Directorate of Security) intelligence, Hafiz Saeed, the leader of IS in so called Khorasan state was killed in an air strike in Achin, Nangarhar province,” the NDS said in a statement posted online. There is no word from Islamic State on the NDS claim. Sayeed is the second top IS leader who has been killed in drone strike in three days. Further details on the drone strike are yet to be known and no official confirmation has been given by the Afghan government. The drone strike comes days after former TTP spokesperson and Dai’sh leader Shahidullah Shahid was killed in a US drone strike in Nangarhar province on the Pakistan , Afghanistan border. Currently, IS poses serious threats to the Afghan Taliban, who are now engaged in talks with Afghan administration for durable peace in the region. A few months earlier, the Afghan Taliban had issued a letter to the IS chief warning them to keep away from Afghanistan . The recent development of Saeed’s death could be a serious setback for newly recruited IS militants in Afghanistan .

48 rebels killed in internal clash, air strike in Nangarhar

KABUL : At least 48 militants have been killed in internal clash between two militant groups and air strike in eastern Nangarhar province. The clash took place in Mamand area around 03:30 pm on Friday and about an hour later a militant hideout came under air strike in Shashpar Pikhi area of Achin District. Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal, spokesman for the police headquarters of Nangarahar says in a statement that 12 rebels were killed in the clash and 30 others in the air strike. He further states in the statement that a weapon cache belonging to the insurgents was also destroyed in the air attack. Achin has been one of the hot spots for Taliban and the newly emerged group of militants that goes by the name of Daesh or the Islamic State. With yesterday’s deaths, around 200 fighters of Daesh have been killed in air strikes only last week, including some the group’s notorious commanders like Gul Zaman and Shahidullah Shahid. According to NDS, Gul Zaman was the second-in-command within the ranks of Daesh and Shahidullah Shahid was a senior commander of the group who was planning a widened war in the region. Shahidullah Shahid’s original name was Mawlawi Maqbool, hailing from Pakistan ’s Orakzai agency who previously served as spokesman for Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Nawaz-Modi meeting focused at reducing tension, benefit people

ISLAMABAD : Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz Saturday said that in their meeting on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Russia , the prime ministers of Pakistan and India focused at reducing tension between two countries and benefit their people. Talking to a PTV talk show, the Advisor said as a first doable step, both the countries agreed that the tension at the Line of Control should be reduced in which the people from both sides were being killed. He said a mechanism in this regard was already in place since 2003, and that the respective meetings of the DGs Rangers, Borders Security Forces and the Military Operation would mull over to avert the recurrence of such incidents. He said the meeting of the National Security Advisors would also help address the apprehensions about each other by discussing the issues on dialogue table instead of media.  Sartaj Aziz said July 10, was a historic day in diplomatic history of Pakistan as on the day, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met the leadership of China , Russia and India as well as Afghanistan besides achieving membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He said the international community had concerns about the Pak-India tension at the LoC and there had been an apprehension of any tragedy; however the recent meeting provided an opportunity to initiate a process to reduce tension. He said both the countries have agreed to release the fishermen along with their boats within fortnight of their arrest who, earlier, used to languish in jails for months leaving back their families to suffer. This would also discourage the tendency of arresting the fishermen unnecessarily, he observed.  Besides, both the countries also committed to promote religious tourism for what the respective offices on both the sides would draw a chart of annual activities and make arrangements accordingly. He said the non-resolution of chronic issues prolonged the friction between both the countries. However, in the joint statements made by the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India , it was “agreed that India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development. To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues.” Stressing the need for track-II diplomacy, the Foreign Advisor said both the sides “agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.” To a question whether Indian Premier Narendra Modi would attend 2016 SAARC Summit in Pakistan , Sartaj Aziz said he had accepted the invitation. “I am hundred percent sure, he will come. They ( India ) cannot afford to ignore SAARC,” he remarked. He said any bilateral visit could also take place before SAARC moot in case of any positive development.  Sartaj Aziz said the resolution of contentious issues could take time, so the initial focus would be on the lessening of tension as issues of regional security were of utmost importance.  To another question, he said, “the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere. Some ‘light exchanges’ were also made.” Asked was Indian side desired bilateral meeting under the pressure of any foreign power, Sartaj Aziz said ‘it is possible’ as during his Indian visit US President Obama had talked about Pak-India relations. However, both the countries needed such a meeting.

UNSC welcomes direct talks between Afghan Govt-Taliban

UNITED NATIONS: The U N Security Council has welcomed the recently held direct talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives in Pakistan . In a statement in New York , the 15-member Council termed the move a step towards peace and reconciliation in the region. The Council appreciated the constructive role played by Pakistan , China and the United States for encouraging an inclusive Afghan- led and Afghan-owned dialogue. It hoped that this direct interaction would encourage all the parties to continue building on their efforts made so far to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan . All the Members of the UN Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Afghanistan on its path towards peace, reconciliation, democracy and development.

4 soldiers, 9 terrorists dead in Waziristan clash

RAWALPINDI: Four soldiers on Saturday was killed in a clash with the terrorists on the border of South and North Waziristans. Retaliating, soldiers killed 9 terrorists. According to Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan army conducted a search operation at the border of the South and North Waziristans. It informed that four security personnel were killed in the exchange of fire with militants. Security forces are advancing in far-flung areas of South Waziristan. They have taken control of most of the strongholds of Taliban in the areas. The sources said security personnel were facing resistance in some areas and sporadic incidents of attacks and exchange of fire were taking place. The semi-autonomous tribal areas on the Afghan border have for years been a hideout for militants of all stripes, including Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban as well as foreign fighters such as Uzbeks and Uighurs. Pakistan began a long-awaited push to clear insurgent bases from North Waziristan last June after a bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport finally sank faltering peace talks.

India not responsible for water shortage in Pakistan: Irsa Chairman

ISLAMABAD: Denying general assumption about Water shortage in Pakistan that India is responsible for it, Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Chairman Rao Irshad Ali has said that reports in media about India getting more water is nothing but a propaganda. In a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power chaired by Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra that was held in Islamabad the other day, he said India was using less than its allocated share under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed between the two countries. IWT is a water-sharing treaty between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development). The treaty was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Ayub Khan, a private television channel reported Saturday. He claimed that media reports that India is not observing IWT by saying that India are getting less compared to their allocated share of water. The committee also decided to conduct a performance audit of K-Electric through Auditor General of Pakistan aimed at judging the performance of the power utility. The proposal of conducting the performance audit of K-Electric was put forward by PPP’s Senator Taj Haider. He sugested that Chairman Standing Committee should write a letter to Auditor General of Pakistan to conduct a performance audit of the power utility as the company resists sharing its data with the auditors. None of the committee members and officials of Water and Power Ministry oppose the proposal. Speaking on the issue, Minister of State for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali told the committee that the agreement between the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and management of K-Electric (former KESC) was to receive 650 MW electricity from the national grid but on occasions K-Electric allegedly extracted up to 950 MW from the system and did not switch on its own generators. Abid Sher Ali also informed that Nepra has issued a legal notice to K-Electric on the current state of affairs and will probe thoroughly.

Air China to operate from Islamabad Airport

BEIJING/ISLAMABAD: Air China, national flag carrier of China, has showed keen interest to operate three flights of its Airbus-320 in a week from Islamabad Airport from October this year. In this regard, a China Air delegation visited Islamabad Airport and held meeting with Airport Manager, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Muhammad Ayaz Jadoon, a spokesman of the Authority said here on Saturday. The Airport Manager assured the delegation full support for smooth and secure flight operation from Islamabad Airport. Presently, China Southern, a Chinese Airlines, operates weekly four flights of Boing 757 from Islambad Airport. Pakistan International Airlines also operates two flights to Beijing of Airbus-320 in a week. It is pertinent to note that about 100 flights operate from Islamabad Airport on daily basis including 18 foreign carriers. After the renovation and development work, foreign carriers are taking more interest to operate from Islamabad International Airport

July 10, 2015

Modi to visit Pakistan next year; NSAs to meet in Delhi (Nawaz brushes aside Indian reservations on PCEC, Lakhvi)

UFA , ( Russia ): Pakistan and India Friday agreed on holding talks on all issues including terrorism as their leaders met here on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit . The agreement came as Prime Ministers Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held an hour-long meeting here at the Russian city of Ufa in a bid to restart the stalled peace process between the two countries. Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security Sartaj Aziz told reporters that the meeting was held in “very good atmosphere” as both the sides believed that peace in the region was vital for progress. He said like Prime Minister Sharif, his Indian counterpart too believed in fighting poverty and not each other.  He however said the first priority was to lessen friction on the Line of Control and in this regard it was agreed to activate the mechanism of meetings between the Indian Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers. He said the two leaders were unanimous that the way forward for lasting peace was to address the outstanding issues like Kashmir , Siachin, Sir Creek, as they believed that otherwise lasting peace cannot be ensured. Aziz said the two sides also discussed taking up these matters under the back channel -  Track-II mechanism, for better understanding of each others point of view.  He said both the sides also agreed on meetings of the two National Security Advisers, off and on, to address concerns and apprehensions of each side so as to allay their misunderstandings.  Sartaj Aziz termed the meeting on the whole “as very useful in lessening tension” and for better understanding of each other’s point of view, which he added can lead to further progress in the days ahead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday accepted invitation by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend the next SAARC Summit in 2016, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry told reporters at a joint press conference along with the Secretary Indian External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, after the meeting.  The two foreign secretaries read out a prepared statement, without taking any questions. Aizaz Chaudhry said, “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere” and the two leaders exchanged views on issues of bilateral and regional interest. He stated that the leaders agreed that India and Pakistan had a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development.  “To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues,” Chaudhry said. He said “both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each to eliminate this menace from South Asia .” Without giving a time-frame, the Indian External Affairs Secretary said the two leaders agreed that their National Security Advisers would meet in New Delhi to discuss all issues connected with terrorism. He said the two sides also agreed on an early meeting of Indian DG Border Security Force and Pakistan’s DG Rangers to be followed by a meeting of their respective Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs); release of the fishermen along with their boats detained in each other’s country over border violation within a period of 15 days, and to work on a mechanism for facilitating religious tourism. He said both the sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai Case Trial including additional information like providing voice samples. Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi were present during the Sharif-Modi meeting. The Indian delegation included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Earlier, the two leaders warmly shook hands and posed for a photograph before proceeding for the talks.  Their last handshake was at Kathmandu in November last year on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit that came after several incidents of firing along the Line of Control, leading to the cancellation of Secretary level talks. While the last structured meeting between the two was held on May 27 last year. A Foreign Office spokesman earlier told reporters in Islamabad that the meeting between the two leaders was a positive development.  He expressed the hope that it would have a positive impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.  He said the international community was also interested in improvement of relations between Pakistan and India as it would benefit not only the peoples of the two countries but also the whole region.

Pakistan desires multi-dimensional ties with Russia : PM

UFA ( Russia ): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said that Pakistan attached great importance to its ties with Russian Federation and was keen to enhance these relations. “We want a multi-dimensional relationship with Russia in the fields of trade, defence, energy, infrastructure, culture and other spheres,” the Prime Minister said in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.  This is the first ever meeting between the Prime Minister Sharif and President Putin in the historic Russian city.  “We are grateful to the Russian Federation for its support to Pakistan ’s entry into Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full member,” the Prime Minister remarked. Both delegations have expressed the confidence that Sharif-Putin meeting would help in raising the level of friendship and cooperation between the countries. President Putin congratulated the Prime Minister on the launching of formal accession of Pakistan to SCO.  He stated that Russia attached importance to its relations with Pakistan and would like to further enhance them, particularly in the economic domain. Both leaders reviewed the progress in a number of projects under consideration especially in the energy sector.  They expressed satisfaction on the progress being made in finalizing North-South gas pipeline agreement and decided to expedite the process.

Relations with Pakistan very high on China ’s agenda: President Xi

UFA : Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said relations with Pakistan are very high on China ’s agenda, inviting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend the SCO meeting taking place in Beijing this year. During a meeting with the premier on sidelines of the SCO summit in Ufa , he said China wants to maintain close ties with Pakistan and looking forward to President Mamnoon’s upcoming visit to China . In his opening remarks Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said friendship with China is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. He appreciated personal commitment of the Chinese leader to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The Prime Minister thanked President Xi for the support China has extended to Pakistan in the country’s effort to become a full member of the SCO. Both the countries enjoy historic relations and in recent times the economic relations between the two countries have reached new heights with the Chinese commitment of investing forty-six billion dollars in Pakistan .

Pakistan gets full membership of SCO

UFA ( Russia ): Pakistan ’s full membership to the powerful Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was approved by its Council of Heads of State Friday here at its 15th Summit .  A statement from the PM House said Pakistan will now have to fulfill certain statutory and legal requirements before the country formally becomes a full member.  Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who led the Pakistan delegation to the Meeting of the Heads of States Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in a statement said Pakistan’s inclusion into the ambit of the grouping was a “turning point” in the history of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation “I am honoured to represent my country at this prestigious forum and am confident that SCO’s expansion would prove a watershed in the changing geopolitical landscape of the Eurasian belt,” the Prime Minister said. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to its full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and said Pakistan shares with SCO and its member-states, deep-rooted historical and cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementarities.  The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was created on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai ( China ) by Kazakhstan , China , Kyrgyzistan , Russia , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan . Pakistan , which had observer status in the security grouping, had applied for its full membership in 2006. The Foreign Office in an earlier statement said “as an Observer State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Pakistan has been making substantive contribution to regional peace, security and development.” According to the SCO Charter, the main goals of the SCO are strengthening mutual confidence and good-neighbourly relations among member countries. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping in a briefing told reporters that “ India and Pakistan ’s admission to the SCO will play an important role in the SCO’s development and it will play a constructive role in pushing for the improvement of their bilateral relations.” The organisation also aims at promoting effective cooperation in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture and education. The SCO also seeks cooperation in energy, transportation, tourism, environmental protection besides joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region, moving towards the establishment of a new, democratic, just and rational political and economic international order.  The SCO member states occupy a territory of over 30 million square kilometers, or three-fifths of the Eurasian continent, with a population of 1.5 billion - a quarter of world’s population.

Fighting against terrorism: US Congresswoman commends sacrifices of Pakistani troops

WASHINGTON: US Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee commended the sacrifices rendered by Pakistani troops in fighting terrorism and has called for promoting ties between Pakistan and the United States by focusing on common goals. Speaking at a interfaith-cum-iftar dinner, hosted by Pakistan ’s Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani at the embassy Thursday night, Congressman Jackson Lee, who is also the co-chair of Congressional Pakistan Caucus, said that the holy month of Ramadhan brings a message of peace and prosperity. She paid tributes to the Pakistani troops who were engaged in fighting terrorism in the country and said it was important to counter this menace all around the world. As we value the sacrifices of American troops in fighting terrorism, we also value the sacrifices of Pakistani troops who are combating terrorists in their country, the Congresswoman told the gathering attended by leaders from the Muslim, Christian, Jews, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh communities. Congresswoman Jackson Lee said there could be differences between Pakistan and the United States as no nation was perfect, but stressed the need on focusing on similarities to promote between the two countries. Speaking about the religion Islam, she said that many Americans do not know that Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father and third President of the United States , used to read the Muslim holy book of Quran for knowledge about the natural law and natural rights. Congresswoman Jackson Lee is an influential voice in Washington and is a member of over 45 Congressional Member organizations. She is serving her eleventh term, according to her website, and represents the 18th Congressional District of Texas. Ambassador Jilani earlier welcomed the representatives from different faiths and denominations and said that all citizens of Pakistan enjoy equal rights and freedom, including the freedom to practice their faith. The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to the vision of building a truly pluralistic and democratic society, he said and added that the government was taking all steps to counter extremism and curbing hate speech in line with the priorities in the National Action Plan.” The Ambassador said that respect for fellow human beings was the essence of Islam and there was no place for aggression, cruelty or injustice in the teachings of Islam. He denounced the use of brute force by terrorists of various denominations that has caused upheaval in many parts of the world said it was important for all to revert to the sublime and peaceful teachings of religion. He exalted the greatest values of religious freedom and protection of rights of minorities in the United States and said this model needs to be emulated  as the need for mutual tolerance and peaceful existence was never greater.

July 9, 2015

Nawaz Sharif suggests 4-pronged approach for regional peace, prosperity

UFA , RUSSIA : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday suggested a four-pronged approach encompassing people-to-people contact, confidence-building in peace and security, trade and regional connectivity among the BRICS countries for uplift of their people. Addressing the BRICS Outreach meeting on sidelines of SCO Summit here, the Prime Minister said Pakistan valued its interaction with BRICS, which consisted of important countries of our region and beyond. The Prime Minister, along with his delegation, arrived here on the second leg of his visit from Oslo to lead Pakistani delegation at the 15th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and 7th BRICS ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) Summit .  The delegation included Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi. As the Prime Minister reached the Congress Hall to attend the BRICS Outreach meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin received him. In his address, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for collectively focusing on improvement and well-being of our people.  He proposed to promote mutual understanding, cooperation and goodwill through cultural, academic interaction and people-to-people contact. Calling for promotion of confidence, he said the confidence-building in peace and security was an essential ingredient for endeavors towards shared prosperity. The Prime Minister suggested to promoting bilateral and regional trade and commerce; coordinate to introduce cohesive laws, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and ease the movement of people and merchandize across the borders.  Moreover, he also proposed for promoting connectivity by investing in regional infrastructure including investment in better transport networks, including roads, motorways, railways, and air and sea links. He congratulated President Putin on hosting the 7th BRICS Summit and the 15th SCO Summit. “We are grateful to our host, President Vladimir Putin and the Government of the Russian Federation , for bringing SCO and BRICS member community together under one roof. This would go a long way in promoting inclusive and synergetic approach to economic development,” he remarked. “This interaction coincides with the consensus to make Pakistan a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),” the Prime Minister said. “ Pakistan ’s economic growth has remained steady. We have unveiled “Vision-2025”, to provide a solid platform for the revival of sustainable and inclusive growth. The potential growth sectors such as infrastructure, power and natural resources, are open to large scale investments,” he said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that he had a vision of “Peace for Development and Development for Peace,” for the region, in which regional connectivity and economic integration were the key components. Towards this end, he said, Pakistan had been actively engaged at several regional fora including SAARC and ECO. Pakistan will be hosting Summit meetings of both these important regional organizations in future, he added. He said Pakistan had been collaborating with a number of SCO and BRICS members to promote progress and prosperity of our people.  The Prime Minister said with Chinese collaboration, Pakistan was building the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as an important part of President Xi Jinping’s visionary initiative of ‘One Road and One Belt’ and a ‘Community of Shared Destiny.’ He said Pakistan ’s fight against terror including ongoing military operation was not only for protection of Pakistan rather it was very critical for peace of the region as well as the international community. He said in this endeavour, Pakistan had rendered huge sacrifices in terms of human and economic losses “but this has not weakened our resolve to fight against extremism and uproot terrorism.” “We remain absolutely determined to take this campaign to its logical conclusion in order to achieve our objective of peaceful and prosperous region. He also called for a  committment to work together in order to promote peace and development in the region and beyond in a true spirit of collaboration and cooperation.

PM Nawaz to meet Modi on sidelines of SCO summit today

ISLAMABAD: Minister Nawaz Sharif will hold bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO summit at Ufa, Russia today (Friday ). This was confirmed by Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah in a statement on Thursday. The spokesperson said all issues of importance will be discussed during the meeting. The spokesperson expressed the confidence that the meeting between the two leaders will have positive impact on bilateral relations. To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan is against any sort of proxy war and desires good neighborly relations. We want to resolve all disputes through talks. Qazi Khalilullah said the prime minister will also hold meetings with the Presidents of Russia , China and Afghanistan . He said Pakistan is interested to enhance relations with Russia and the meeting between the prime minister and the Russian president will provide fresh impetus to the on-going cooperation. As regards the grant of full SCO membership to Pakistan , the spokesperson hoped that our membership will be approved in principle at the Summit meeting.

TTP's ex-spokesman Shahiduallah Shahid killed

ISLAMABAD : Former spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was killed in a missile strike in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan which left at least 52 militants dead, Afghan media reported on Thursday. According to Afghan media, Shahidullah Shahid had joined ISIS and was killed in a missile strike along with 52 other ISIS militants. Shahidullah Shahid declared allegiance to Islamic State in October last year and ordered militants across the region to help the Middle Eastern jihadist group in its campaign to set up a global Islamic caliphate. Islamic State, which controls swathes of land in Syria and Iraq , has been making inroads into South Asia , which has traditionally been dominated by local Taliban insurgencies against both the Pakistan and Afghanistan governments. The announcement came after a September move by al Qaeda chief, Ayman al-Zawahri, to name former Taliban commander Asim Umar as the “emir” of a new South Asia branch of the network that masterminded the 2001 attacks on the United States .

Indian defence minister warns Pakistan yet again

NEW DELHI : A day ahead of a meeting of Prime minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa , Russia , Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said that India is “capable of defending itself”. Parrikar’s statement assumes significance, as few days back the Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif had told a news channel that if needed, Pakistan can use the nuclear weapons for its ‘survival’. “I am the defence minister of India . I know my job very well. And, let me tell you that India is capable of defending itself,” Manohar Parrikar said, while sounding a caution to the neighbouring country. Pakistani defence minister had told a news channel, “We should pray that such an option never arises, but if we need to use them (nuclear weapons) for our survival, we will.” Parrikar refused comment on China ’s support to Pakistan in the United Nations over Lakhvi’s release. “The issue pertains to the foreign ministry,” he said. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President XI Jinping that Beijing ’s support to Pakistan in United Nations over Lakhvi’s release was unacceptable, while raising India ’s concerns. Replying to a question on likelihood of India repeating a Myanmar-like operation along the Pakistan border to flush out militants, Parrikar said, “The question is based on certain assumptions.” However, in a lighter vein, Parrikar, said, “Secretive/covert actions of the government are not meant to be revealed.” He further added that as compared to the previous regime, there has been a drop in the number of ceasefire violations.

Indian Prime Minister concerned over CPEC

UFA , Russia : Indian Prime Minister Narender Modi has expressed his concerns over the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Indian prime minister held a 90-minute meeting with Jinping at Russia ’s city of Ufa on Wednesday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). According to Indian media the Indian prime minister also expressed his concerns over the China ’s move at the UN to block a resolution on Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. Indian Foreign Secretary Jayhawker said that their premier raised Indian concerns in detail during the fifth meeting among the two leaders. Jaishankar said, “the prime minister made our concerns known very clearly”.

Pakistan , Brunei show to enhance defence cooperation

RAWALPINDI : High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Pakistan , Dato Mahmud Saidin called on Secretary Defence Lt. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak here on Thursday.  Both the countries showed keen interest in taking further defence cooperation existing between Pakistan and Brunei .  During the meeting, the Secretary Defence said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Brunei .  “ Brunei and Pakistan have military to military cooperation in areas related to training and defence. We value our forum of Pakistan-Brunei Joint Defence Working Committee (JDWC) which is useful in enhancing military and defence cooperation”, he added.  The fifth Brunei-Pakistan Joint Defence Working Committee (JDWC) is scheduled tentatively for October/November this year and will become very useful in enhancing military and defence cooperation between the two countries. The High Commissioner reiterated that Brunei appreciates Pakistan ’s efforts in establishing and maintaining peace in the region. He added that Pakistan remains a stronger partner in international community in its fight against terrorism.  Pakistan thanked Brunei for successfully holding of recent ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting on July 2, 2013 .  In the recent meeting Brunei Government extended its support to Pakistan in attaining Full Dialogue Partnership (FDP) in ASEAN.  The Secretary Defence further added that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.  “We have suffered immensely in terms of men and material. Since terrorism is a global phenomenon therefore it needs joint global effort by the international community,” he added.It may be mentioned here that Pakistan and Brunei share cordial and cooperated relations based on bonds of religion, culture, history as well as shared perceptions on a wide range of regional and global issues.

42,000 Afghan refugees return from Pakistan during 2015: UNHCR

ISLAMABAD : A total of 42,000 Afghan Refugees have returned to their home land Afghanistan during current year 2015, said an official of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Pakistan . Talking to media on Thursday, he said out which 22,000 went back from the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province and other returned from different parts of Pakistan. He appreciated the Government and people of Pakistan for generously hosting the world’s largest protracted refugees situation for nearly four decades. Pakistan hosting almost 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees and still the largest protracted refugee population globally, said an official of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He said since 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of 3.8 million registered Afghans from Pakistan.Replying to a question, he urged the international community to redouble their engagement for voluntary repatriation under the UNHCR assisted voluntary repatriation programme. UNHCR, will continue jointly developing mutually reinforcing plans for phased voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland and for their management in Pakistan in line with the absorption capacity in Afghanistan and the realities on the ground, he added.

Closer Pak-Turkey cooperation emphasized in defence field

ANKARA: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood called on Chief of Turkish General Staff (TGS), General Necdet Ozel, in Ankara and exchanged views on defence matters. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood conveyed the cordial greetings of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), General Rashid Mahmood, which General Necdet Ozel warmly reciprocated. During the meeting, the special nature of Pakistan-Turkey relations and the long-standing tradition of close collaboration between the armed forces of the two countries were emphasized. The discussion also focused on recent high-level exchanges, participation in joint land, air and naval exercises, and aspects of military training and education. It was agreed to further intensify defence cooperation in all dimensions, including closer collaboration in the defence industry field. Pakistan-Turkey defence cooperation has been growing steadily within the institutional framework of the High-Level Military Dialogue Group (HLMDG). Its last meeting was held in Rawalpindi in October 2014.

Iran ready to give 3000MW electricity to overcome power shortages in Pakistan: CG

KARACHI: Iran’s Consul General Mehdi Sobhani has said that the Islamic Republic is ready to increase electricity export to Pakistan to 3000MW to help overcome energy shortages. Speaking at an Iftar party hosted by the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, here on Thursday, he said that a proposal for providing electricity has been sent and a response is awaited, according to a press release issued here. He said that Iran is presently exporting 74MW of electricity to Pakistan. “If the Iranian gas pipeline gets linked with Pakistan, this pipeline is also capable of meeting 20 per cent of the total electricity needs of Pakistan,” he added. Mehdi Sobhani expressed sympathies for the victims of the recent heatwave in Karachi. The Iranian diplomat said, “The economic plans between the two countries are for the benefit of the two nations and whoever opposes these plans is against progress, growth and prosperity of the two countries, specially Pakistan.” He said that Zionist regime is after creating internal dispute in the Islamic world, raising disturbance in the region, supporting takfeeri groups like Daesh and promoting religious extremism. “They want to wipe out Palestine from memories. They want that the issue of Palestine and Quds no longer remains a matter of concern for the Islamic world,” he added. The Iranian diplomat said the Islamic world must be vigilant about the sinister intentions and expansionist actions of the Zionist regime.

July 8, 2015

Afghan govt, Taliban agree on continuing talks for peace

ISLAMABAD : The representatives of Afghan government and Tehreek-e-Taliban have agreed on continuing talks to create an environment conducive for peace and reconciliation process, a statement by Pakistan said Wednesday.  The Foreign Office while acknowledging hosting of the meeting at Murree - a hill resort around 40 kms from capital Islamabad on Tuesday, said it was part of Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.  The holding of the talks between Taliban and the government in Pakistan was first announced by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in a tweet. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif talking to reporters in Oslo expressed the hope for a positive outcome, which would be very helpful for peace and security in Afghanistan . “The participants were duly mandated by their respective leadership and expressed their collective desire to bring peace to Afghanistan and the region,” the statement said.It pointed that representatives of China and the USA also participated in the meeting. Both the sides agreed on holding the next meeting at mutually convenient date after Ramazan. According to details the participants exchanged views on ways and means to bring peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan .  “It was agreed that for lasting peace in the region, each side would approach the process in sincerity and with full commitment.” Without disclosing the names of the participants, the statement said both the sides recognized the need to develop confidence building measures to engender trust among all stakeholders. The statement said “the government of Pakistan expresses its profound gratitude to the government of Afghanistan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan for their willingness to work towards bringing lasting peace in Afghanistan .” “We also thank other partners in peace, including the United Nations, for their contribution to peace, stability and development of Afghanistan ,” the statement said.

UN chief, US laud Pakistan for facilitating Afghanistan Govt-Taliban dialogue

UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday appreciated Pakistan ’s role in facilitating direct talks, between Afghan government and the Taliban, while reaffirming his support for the peace process in the war-torn country. “The Secretary-General welcomes the direct talks held yesterday between Afghan Government and Taliban representatives in Pakistan ,” a statement read out by his spokesman Stephance Dujarric at the regular noon briefing said. “He (the secretary-general) reiterates his support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process,” the statement said.  “He expresses his appreciation for the commitment of the parties and the constructive role of the host, Pakistan .” The meeting, which took place in Murree was one of the highest-level contacts between the two warring parties in recent years, offering hope that a formal peace process aimed at ending the long-running conflict could soon begin. U.S. and Chinese officials took part in Tuesdays meeting as observers. Their attendance, together with Pakistans willingness to host the meeting, points to a broadening involvement of key players in possible peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the United States has praised Pakistan for facilitating meeting between Afghan officials and Taliban representatives. In a statement, the White House spokesman Josh Earnest said this is an important step in advancing prospects for durable peace in Afghanistan . Earlier, a Foreign Office statement issued in Islamabad said Afghan officials and Taliban representatives have held peace talks in Murree with both sides agreeing to meet again after Ramadan. The participants exchanged views on ways to bring peace and reconciliation to Afghanistan . Both sides expressed their collective desire to bring peace to Afghanistan and the region. They recognized the need for confidence-building measures to engender trust among all stakeholders.

China supports Afghanistan govt’s peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban

ISLAMABAD : While commenting on a meeting between Afghan government and Tehreek-e-Taliban , Afghanistan , a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson has said the Chinese side always supported the “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” reconciliation process. “ China encourages and supports the Government of Afghanistan to have peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan , and always maintains close contact with the concerned parties”, a statement issued by Chinese Embassy here on Wednesday quoted him as saying. He said that Chinese side speaks positively of this meeting, adding China holds that this meeting is conducive to promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan . The Spokesman said, “ China appreciates the flexible attitude and collective willingness for convening this meeting to advance the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan ”. China is ready to work with relevant parties and play a constructive role in achieving broad and inclusive peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan , he added.

Govt determined to improve quality of education, enhance gender equality: Nawaz

OSLO , Norway : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said his government was determined to improve the quality of education, ensure gender equality and provide more learning opportunities to both male and female students of Pakistan . The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, who called on him here in the Norwegian capital. The Prime Minister said the government was committed to increase spending on education to 4 percent of GDP as he mentioned to ongoing construction of 1,000 schools destroyed during the 2005 earthquake. Admiring Malala’s bravery and steadfastness, he said this had made her a role model for millions at such a young age and lauded her personal interest for promotion of education. The Prime Minister said the government had a strong resolve to eliminate terrorism that would help attain the dream of providing better education to all. He said the sacrifices of those who suffered at the hands of terrorists would not go in vain. The terrorists were on the run and their sanctuaries had been wiped out.The Prime Minister congratulated Malala on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 and regarded her the pride of Pakistan.  Malala appreciated the steps taken by the government in improving the state of education in the country and said education was the key to eliminate terrorism and creation of employment opportunities. She said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would go a long way in bringing prosperity to people living in all parts of Pakistan , providing them better access to education and health facilities. She said she had a dream of serving her country and wanted to do something for the underprivileged children of Pakistan .  Advisor to PM, Sartaj Aziz; Special Assistant to PM, Tariq Fatemi and State Minister for Education, Baligh ur Rahman were also present.

20 killed in road mishap in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD : As many as twenty people were killed and dozens injured in a road accident at Fatahjhang Road near the Tarnol area in Pakistan on Wednesday, police and rescue officials said. The accident occurred as two passengers vans, a coaster and a Mazda vehicle, collided from opposite sides. “A bus collided with a van killing 20, including women and children,” a police official said. “Majority of the passengers in the van and the bus driver were killed,” the official added. The injured were shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS). Officials fear the death toll is likely to rise as the condition of injured passengers is critical. According to initial reports, the accident was a result of over-speeding. A police contingent has reached the spot and an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances of the accident. The accident occurred in the suburbs of Islamabad, a few kilometers away from the new Islamabad airport. The road where the accident occurred is an important route but remains a single carriage way for a significant stretch. It later expends to double carriage. The road joins the capital with Karachi and Peshawar as it links to the GT Road. Several accidents have occurred on along the route over the years. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic accident. He directed for immediate rescue efforts and medical facilities for the injured. He also extended condolences with the families of the deceased.

July 7, 2015

Foreign ministers from Iran , major powers meet on eve of deal deadline

VIENNA : Foreign ministers from six major powers began Monday a meeting with their Iranian counterpart, on the eve of a deadline in Vienna to agree a historic nuclear deal. Mohammad Javad Zarif and his counterparts from the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany are seeking to nail down an accord curbing Iran´s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran denies wanting nuclear weapons, saying its activities are purely for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity and treating cancer patients. The deal, aimed at ending a 13-year-old standoff over Iran´s nuclear programme, would build on a framework accord reached in April in Switzerland . Under that framework, Iran will reduce by more than two-thirds its uranium centrifuges, which can make nuclear fuel but also form the core of a nuclear bomb, and also reduce its uranium stockpiles and alter its Arak reactor. Tough issues in finalising the accord include working out the pace and timing of sanctions relief, Iran´s future capacities to develop nuclear equipment and enhanced UN access, including potential access to military bases in Iran . Officials from both sides warned however that success was far from guaranteed. US Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday the talks were "not yet where we need to be on several of the most difficult issues". On Monday, an Iranian official said that "tough issues" remained to be resolved.

Pakistan-Saudi Arabia positive role never be forgotten, say Rohingya leaders

ISLAMABAD : The adoption of a Pak-Saudi joint resolution in the UN Human Rights Council calling Myanmar government to protect the rights of all people in its territory including Rohingya Muslims, is unanimously endorsed by the Rohingya Muslim community on Tuesday. According to a statement of appreciation issued by Global Rohingya Center and Arakan Rohingya Union, the umbrella group for Rohingya organizations around the world, saying that the joint move once again proved the positive role of closest-ever Muslim allies, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, for solving the Humanitarian crises peacefully that Muslims of today are facing in the Arakan region of Myanmar. On behalf of Rohingya Muslims, the Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) and the Global Rohingya Center (GRC) strongly welcome with deep gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Government of Pakistan and Members of the United Nations Human Rights Council on their tireless efforts for this noble cause”, said Director General of ARU, Dr. Wakar Uddin and President of GRC, Shiekh Abdullah Salamat Maruf, in their joint message, while endorsing the resolution. The international community must take urgent steps for the protection of the rights of stateless Rohingya Muslims as due to the refusal of the Myanmar government to grant the citizenship, their freedom of movement and other basic human rights, including food and health care, are being violated at a larger scale, they regretted. Rohingya leaders hoped that the resolution would put diplomatic pressure on the Myanmar government to review the nationality law, which denied the right to citizenship of the Rohingya community since 1982 and to ensure that refugees and displaced persons would be able to return to their homes in cooperation with the international community. The positive role of Pakistan and the Kingdom could never be forgotten by the Rohingya Muslims struggling for their rights. The statement signed jointly by the President GRC and the Director General ARU.

General Raheel talks to Alumni of SA Defence College, Institute of Security Studies

RAWALPINDI : Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif,  who is on an official visit to South Africa , delivered separate talks to Alumni of South African National Defence College and at Institute of Security Studies . Talks focused on South Asia Security situation and Pakistan ’s contributions in war against  terrorism”, said an ISPR press release issued here on Tuesday. The COAS while highlighting the successes of operation Zarb-e-Azb (ZeA) said that Pakistan has successfully dislodged the Terrorists from their established sanctuaries and continues to pursue them till their total elimination. Pakistan has rendered unparalleled sacrifices for regional peace. With unprecedented successes in our operations against terrorism, Pakistan Army stands tall as one of the most trained and battle hardened Army, he added. He said Pakistan is the most resilient nation and having suffered through so much of terrorism, is on the rise. Ours is collective national victory of a nation so resolute and determined to root out terrorism form our region.

Pakistan, Norwegian companies sign MoU for 150 MW solar power plants

OSLO, Norway: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his Norwegian counterpart Mrs. Erna Solberg witnessed signing ceremony of an MoU between Scatec Solar of Norway and Nizam Energy of Pakistan to jointly develop and Build-Own-and-Operate solar power plants in Pakistan here on Tuesday. The construction of three solar power plants generating a total of 150 MW of electricity was expected to start in the first quarter of 2016. Located in Sindh province, the photovoltaic plants involve an initial investment of nearly US$ 300 million.  The projects would be completed in about a year’s time. An additional 150 MW is planned to be developed in the second stage, bringing the total investment to nearly US$ 600 million.  Advisor to PM, Sartaj Aziz, Minister of State for Education, Baligh ur Rahman, Special Assistant to PM, Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion.

PM Sharif to meet Modi on sidelines of SCO, foreign office confirms

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will hold a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on July 10. Foreign Office confirmed that both the leaders will meet at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Ufa this week. The Prime Minister will also hold important bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will lead the Pakistan delegation to the Meeting of the Heads of States Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Ufa on 9-10 July 2015. SCO is an important organization founded in Shanghai in 2001. Its member-states include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The SCO Heads of States Council (HSC) is the highest decision-making body of the Organization. As an Observer State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Pakistan has been making substantive contribution to regional peace, security and development. At the invitation of the Russian President, the Prime Minister will also attend the Outreach meeting in Ufa of the leaders of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries, SCO Member and Observer States, Eurasian Economic Union Members, and Turkmenistan.

Younus guides Pak to series win in record chase against SL; Pakistan jumps at third position in ICC Test ranking

PALLEKELE: Younis Khan’s epic, unbeaten 171 led Pakistan to their highest successful chase, the second highest in Asia for any side, and the sixth highest in all Test cricket. It also gave them their first series win in Sri Lanka since 2006, and catapulted them to third in the ICC Test rankings. The feat required the highest fourth-innings partnership for Pakistan, 242 between Younis and Shan Masood, who fell on the fifth morning for 125. Misbah-ul-Haq arrived with 122 needed, saw off Sri Lanka’s quicks till lunch, and opened up after that to reel off an unbeaten 59, finishing the match with a six. Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers put in a spirited effort, especially with the second new ball, but could not break down Younis and Misbah. Pakistan needed 147 more at the start of the day, and Masood and Younis’ record partnership grew by 25 before the former fell to his nerves. Masood had been tied down by Sri Lanka’s accuracy, and was itching to break free. No release was provided by Angelo Mathews and the specialist seamers. When the offspinner Tharindu Kaushal was introduced in the 11th over of the morning, Masood, eyeing some runs, jumped out, but was beaten by the turn to be stumped. Sri Lanka’s specialist spinner had begun promisingly after a wayward return of 0 for 92 in 20 overs on day four, but again, he failed to sustain the pressure. He did shift his line wider outside off and spun it in sharply with men waiting in the leg trap, but was too inconsistent with his lengths. Misbah and Younis used the sweep frequently, and put away the regular full tosses with ease. It was a different story against the quicks. The first boundary of the day came only in the tenth over, when Younis forced an edge through the vacant slip region off Nuwan Pradeep. There was little in the pitch by way of variable bounce to suggest it was a day-five subcontinent wicket. Despite their discipline at the start, Sri Lanka were dependent on the new ball. Pakistan needed 101 more when it was taken, and they had the personnel in the middle to get them through. Misbah was happy to deny himself against the new ball, going 22 balls without a run. Batting on a big hundred, Younis was eager to move across and play as much as he could. There was an unsuccessful review for leg-before against Younis, on 128, by Dhammika Prasad, replays returning umpire’s call for points of impact on pad and stumps. As Mathews tried Kaushal again at the stroke of lunch, Misbah stepped out to lift him over mid-on. Sri Lanka’s challenge fell apart after lunch, Misbah and Younis raining boundaries on the hapless Kaushal, who had played ahead of veteran Rangana Herath, and was to end with figures of 1 for 153 in 31 overs. The winning runs came again from Misbah’s bat, as they had come during their Sharjah chase of 302 against Sri Lanka in 2014. Younis ended with the fifth-highest score in a chase. Meanwhile, Registering a series win against Sri Lanka after a historic run-chase, Pakistan on Tuesday leapfrogged India and New Zealand to be placed third in the ICC Test rankings. The Misbah-ul-Haq-led rode on Younis Khan’s unbeaten 171 to script a seven-wicket win, chasing 378 at Pallekele on Tuesday. The 2-1 triumph in the three-match series also got the visitors necessary points to be placed behind leaders Australia and South Africa in the rankings table. New Zealand and India are placed fourth and fifth respectively. Sri Lanka, in contrast, have dropped four points and have slipped to 92 points, while retaining their seventh position overall. The Ashes begins today (Wednesday) and England will not only be aiming to reclaim the Urn but also improve its ranking. England are currently sitting in sixth position and a series win by 3-0 or better will move it to as high as second. While, President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday felicitated Pakistan cricket team on winning the test series against Sri Lanka and said the whole team deserve applause on their emphatic win. The President said winning the match had raised the confidence of national team, which he said would benefit them in future series.  The President also praised the batting performance of batsmen and expressed hope that Pakistan would maintain the winning streak in future as well. The President expressed hope that the national cricket team would demonstrate excellent play against Sri Lanka in One-Day series as well. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday congratulated the Pakistan Cricket Team on winning the third test and the test series against Sri Lanka.  The Prime Minister lauded the performance of Younas Khan for wining the Man of the Match award and admired Yasir Shah for being declared Man of the Series.  The Prime Minister asked the cricket team to maintain good performance in their future matches.

Sri Lanka pick two rookies for Pakistan ODIs

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka on Tuesday selected uncapped Milinda Siriwardana and Sachith Pathirana in a 15-man squad for the one-day series against Pakistan starting on July 11. Both players are all-rounders who bowl left-arm spin, leaving no room for veteran spinner Rangana Herath in the squad to be led by Angelo Mathews. The five-match series opens in Dambulla, with other games to be played in Pallekele (July 15), Colombo (July 19, 22) and Hambantota (July 26). The squad for two Twenty20 internationals in Colombo on July 30 and August 1 will be named later. Sri Lanka´s one-day squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana

July 6, 2015

17 militants killed in drone strike in Afghanistan

KABUL : 17 militants have been killed in a drone strike and internal clash between two armed groups in eastern Nangarhar province. A statement issued on Monday by the police headquarters of Nangarhar states that three militants were killed in a drone strike and 14 others in internal clash of the militant groups. The drone strike carried out in Kariz area of Chaparhar District left Qari Samiullah alias Sangin, Shakur S/O Abdul Hamid and Abdullah S/O Mullah Tasang killed the other day. Also, the deadly clash erupted between two insurgent groups in Milwa area of Nazian District leaving 14 militants killed and two others wounded. Two houses belonging to one of the groups have been burned by the other during the clash. Although, the statement issued by the police headquarters does not identify the two groups but before this incident deadly skirmishes have taken place between Hizb-i-Islami and Taliban and Daesh and Taliban in Nangarhar province. However, the recent clashes were between Daesh and Taliban.

Pakistan looks forward to continued Norwegian cooperation: Nawaz

OSLO , NORWAY : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday said that Pakistan and Norway had extended support to each other at various international forums and the former looked forward to continued cooperation in various spheres.  He was talking to Borge Brende, Foreign Minister of Norway who called on him in the Norwegian capital here.  The Prime Minister said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Norway bilaterally as well as in the context of the Nordic region. He extended condolences on the death of Norwegian Ambassador Leif H. Larsen in tragic helicopter crash in Naltar.  Borge Brende appreciated Prime Minister’s commitment to education and said there were about 35,000 Pakistanis living in Norway contributing towards the prosperity of the country.  The Prime Minister said this diaspora established strong link between the two countries. Matters related to regional situation also came under discussion. Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM, Tariq Fatemi and Minister of State for Education, Baligh ur Rahman were present in the meeting. Later, the Prime Minister also attended a reception hosted by the Foreign Minister in honour of the visiting heads of delegations at Oslo City Hall , which the Norwegian Prime Minister also attended.  UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was also present in the reception.

Pakistan Army Chief in South Africa

RAWALPINDI : General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) arrived South Africa on Monday on a three days official visit. Early during the day, the COAS visited South African Army Headquarters where he was presented 21 gun salute. He was also presented guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of South African Army, said an ISPR press release issued here. General Raheel Sharif called on Lieutenant General V. R. Masondo, Chief of South African Army at the Army HQs. During the meeting matters of mutual interest and bilateral defence ties came under discussion. The South African Army chief lauded the professional prowess and sacrifices of Pakistan Army in successfully fighting against terrorism and showed keenness in bolstering mutually beneficial defence ties between both the friendly countries.General Raheel Sharif was also given detailed briefing on operational and training matters of South African Army. Later COAS called on Gen Solly Zacharia Shoke, Chief of South African National Defence Forces (SANDF).Matters of professional interest  were discussed during the meeting Later, COAS also visited defence production facilities of South Africa to see possibilities of enhancing defence collaboration and training exchanges between both the countries.

Indian, Pakistani PMs expected to meet in Russia

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif will meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Russia on July 10, local media reported Monday. The Press Trust of India quoted sources as saying the two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the summit in Ufa, Russia. Modi is embarking on a six-nation visit Monday and he will be in Russia to attend SCO as well as the BRICS Summit. Modi and Sharif last met in Kathmandu in November at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit but they did not hold any bilateral meeting. Indian and Pakistani officials exchanged sharp comments after Modi’s critical remarks about Pakistan during his Bangladesh visit last month and in the wake of India’s military action against Naga rebels in Myanmar.

July 5, 2015

Iran , US inching towards nuclear deal

VIENNA : Global powers appeared late Friday to be inching towards a historic nuclear deal as the Iranian foreign minister said the world had never been closer to ending a 13-year standoff with Tehran . Iran´s Mohammad Javad Zarif warned there was still "no guarantee" of success, but in a rare move offered the promise of greater cooperation to tackle other global problems, such as Islamic State militants, should the deal be sealed. Global powers are trying to draw the curtain on almost two years of negotiations, which gathered new impetus after President Hassan Rouhani took power in late 2013. The aim is to finalise a deal which would put a nuclear bomb beyond Iran´s reach, in return for lifting a web of biting international sanctions slapped on the Islamic republic. Speaking in English from the balcony of the Viennese hotel hosting the negotiations, Zarif said in a message posted on YouTube that at "this 11th hour despite some differences that remain, we have never been closer to a lasting outcome." He stressed that "getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the self-confidence to be flexible, the maturity to be reasonable." But he said his country was ready to strike "a balanced and good deal" which could "open new horizons to address important common challenges". "Our common threat today is the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism," he said in a clear reference to the Islamic State (IS) group. As Zarif met US Secretary of State John Kerry for fresh talks Friday, the top US diplomat praised "the genuine effort" being made by all sides. Kerry insisted progress had been made despite "tough issues". After missing several deadlines, the so-called P5+1 group – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – have now given themselves until Tuesday to conclude the deal. A senior US administration official told reporters that some outstanding issues had been concluded in the past few days of burning "the midnight oil." But he cautioned again "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed," saying "eventually this is going to have to come down to some significant political decisions that can only be made at the level of ministers."

Era of proxy wars should end in South Asia : Olson

PESHAWAR : While praising sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and Zarb-e-Azb’s “disruptive effect on terrorists” in North Waziristan Agency , US Ambassador Richard Olson has said that it is time proxy wars in South Asia come to an end. “I think the era of proxy war in South Asia should come to an end,” said Ambassador Olson, adding that they should end regardless of who was behind such wars in the region. Talking to journalists here on Saturday, the ambassador acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army in making the operation Zarb-e-Azb a success. The operation was launched in North Waziristan Agency in June 2014. “We do believe that the operation has had a disruptive effect on terrorists which will benefit in general primarily the Pakistan , its people and Afghanistan as well,” he maintained, stating that the operation’s outcomes have been “very impressive.” Asked to comment on the army’s claim of having cleared over 90 per cent of North Waziristan Agency of militants in the wake of the operation amid statements from the US government appreciating its outcomes while also continuing drone strikes, the ambassador said that “we did not speak about these specific counter-terrorism operations for obvious reasons.” Asked about the accusations of the Afghan government that militants from Pakistan participated in the insurgency in Afghanistan , he said: “The era of proxy war in South Asia should come to an end.” About the possibility of emergence of the self-styled ISIS phenomenon in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Olson said that international terrorist operations had been “enormously disrupted” during the last 14 years. “We are closely watching developments regarding Daesh.” Naturally, he said, this topic had been discussed with Pakistani authorities that are keeping a watchful eye on developments related to Daesh, but “so far they (Pakistani officials) did not see any indication of [Daesh’s] organised presence in Pakistan .” “It is very easy for people to put up a black flag but that does not mean that ISIS has support or presence [in Pakistan ],” he said. “Anybody can make a black flag, but we need to be vigilant about this issue,” he said. Ambassador Olson was of the view that in parts of Middle East , the state authority had collapsed with the emergence of ISIS creating space for extremist groups. He said that institutions of the states in this [ South Asia ] region were “much stronger and certainly in the case of Pakistan it had well-established state authority, [and a] very capable and established military.” “It is important to support capacity of the institutions in Pakistan and Afghanistan to counter such threats,” he said, adding that in the troubled context of this region, it was important to be vigilant against ISIS . Ambassador Olson, who took charge in 2012, is likely to leave Pakistan next month. Of his time in Pakistan , he said that the relations between the United States and Pakistan had improved under his watch.

12 terrorists killed in ground offensive in North Wazirastan : ISPR

RAWALPINDI : As many as 12 terrorists were killed in ground offensive in area Ghaziza North West of Datta Khel in North Wazirastan .  According to ISPR here on Sunday, fleeing terrorists also left behind three of their dead bodies. Four soldiers also embraced shahadat in exchange of fire. The statement added that the militants fled from the scene leaving behind the bodies of three of their colleagues. The details could not be independently verified. North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) governed by tribal laws which is situated along the Pak-Afghan border and is rife with Taliban militant activity. The Pakistan Army launched Zarb-i-Azb, a comprehensive operation in North Waziristan tribal region last summer to drive out Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist militants who launch attacks on government and civilian targets, a week after the brazen insurgent attack on the country’s busiest airport in Karachi.

Nine dead in China building collapse, dozens rescued

Beijing: Nine people died when a shoe factory collapsed in eastern China, state media reported Sunday, with more than 40 workers hospitalised after being rescued. A total of 51 workers were in the building in the city of Wenling in Zhejiang province when it came down on Saturday afternoon, China´s official Xinhua news agency reported. The report added that a total of 42 people were pulled out of the factory and taken to hospital, but did not give details on their conditions. Xinhua said the cause of the collapse was being investigated. Photos circulating on Chinese social media showed a man being carried on a stretcher by what appeared to be police officers, while rescuers and other personnel stood on top of the rubble. Building collapses and other industrial accidents are not uncommon in China, where many structures and facilities are old, safety procedures can be lax and rebuilding has not kept up with the country´s remarkable economic growth. China´s top safety watchdog in May blamed poor construction and weak safety standards for a fire at a nursing home that left 38 people dead. In April, almost 30,000 people were evacuated after a fire broke out in a Chinese chemical plant which blazed for nearly 50 hours before the flames were finally extinguished. And in November, a fire at a coal mine in northeastern China killed 26 workers, in one of the country´s most highly accident-prone industries.

MQM’s organizational committee behind militant wing: Rangers

KARACHI: The Sindh Rangers has said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM’s) organisational committee was organizing and running the affirs of its militant wing in Karachi. A spokesperson for the Rangers said in a statement on Sunday that “this was the reason behind the arrests of MQM sector and unit in charges in recent days. The spokesperson said that the on-going operation in Karachi was directed against none but criminals and extortionists ans against militant wings of political and religious parties. He said that that many MQM workers were surrendering and giving court arrests. The spokesperson further stated that all arrested suspects will be presented in courts while their basic rights were being taken care of during their detention. Meanwhile, the MQM has alleged that the on-going operation was only against it, which aims to eliminate the party from the political scene. In a recent statement, MQM chief Altaf Hussain has alleged that the detained workers of his party were being treated as war prisoners.

Qadri, Musharraf decide political struggle jointly

ISLAMABAD: Former President Pervaiz Musharraf and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) Chief Tahir ul Qadri on Sunday decided to struggle jointly against the corrupt system. According to sources, both the leaders talked to each other on phone and decided to struggle against the present cruel government. Meanwhile, Musharraf inquired the health of Qadri.

Houston Mayor hosts annual Iftar dinner

HOUSTON: The Mayor of Houston hosted annual Iftar dinner which was attended by members of U.S. Congress, Consul Generals of two dozen different countries and including hundred of muslin citizens. The Annual Iftar Ramadan Dinner, which has become a tradition in the metropolis over the past 15 years, was held at the Bayou City Event Center. The entire hall was filled with nearly 1800 people with organizers and elected officials from across the city. This year’s event was chaired by Sunny Sharma, and coordinated by Muhammad Saeed Sheikh. Abu Dhabi, Baku, Basrah, Istanbul and Karachi, in conjunction with the Islamic Society of Greater Houston along with 50 plus community organizations were the host. The event, which was emceed by Nadia Gire, opened with prayers by Zara Khan and verses from the Quran in Arabic by Nihat Yesil, followed by a discourse on the “Human Values in Islam” by Imam Imad Enchassi of Oklahoma City. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and after her, Congressman Al Green both were delighted to be at the Iftar and vehemently decried the hate crime in Charleston. “What is meant for evil turns into good,” remarked Lee. “Ramadan is the season for coming together.” She emphasized that there was no room for discrimination for people in this country. Green echoed her sentiments. “This gathering shows how much we appreciate each other,” she said, adding, “All religions are based on forgiveness. Sacrifice and suffering can teach us to live as brothers and sisters in peace.” Later, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent his videotaped greetings and felicitations which were broadcast to the entire hall. The Mayor chose to end her speech to the packed hall with a story with a moral, cupping her hands as she spoke. “The future lies in your hands,” she declared. “Let us join hands together and make the world a better place.” Parker recalled how the annual dinner used to be called the “Mayor’s Iftar Dinner” when it began as a small gathering on the steps of City Hall and was first organized by then Councilman M.J. Khan. It has moved to other venues, like the GRB Convention Center and in recent years has grown to the large scale event that it is now. At her urging, the name was changed to Houston Iftar to reflect the role and desires of the local community. “We are an international city. In Houston, friendly is a noun, not an adjective,” Parker continued, “It is a place of tolerance and diversity.”

1,400 Indian school teachers resign in fake degree probe

PATNA: Some 1,400 primary school teachers have quit in an eastern Indian state in recent months amid an ongoing investigation into fake qualifications, an education official said Friday. More resignations are likely before the end of an amnesty period that allows teachers in Bihar to quit to avoid legal action for falsifying their degrees, state education department principal secretary R.K Mahajan said. The High Court ordered an investigation in May into the state´s 350,000 primary teachers on concerns that up to 25,000 had joined government schools without proper training. Resignations poured in as the probe got underway, with officials scrutinising teacher CVs, before the court ordered the amnesty last month, which ends on July 9. "The 1,400 resignations have come before the court order on an amnesty," Mahajan told media. "We will know the final number of teachers who took advantage of the reprieve after the completion of the amnesty period." Mahajan said he did not think the final number of departures would be problematic, saying "there will be no vacuum in the education system". But he warned of severe action against teachers who decided to stay put with fake certificates, saying "this is a criminal act. They may face even jail". "The investigation is verifying qualifications of all teachers in the state who joined since 2006", following a mass recruitment drive by the state government. The issue made headlines last month after Delhi´s law minister, Jitendra Singh Tomar, was arrested for allegedly lying about his degrees. The quality of education, particularly in rural areas, is a major problem in India. Many teachers also fail to show up to class regularly, leaving colleagues overburdened. More than half of children in rural areas are still unable to read basic text in their own language after completing five years of government schooling, an annual survey by leading Indian education and research group Pratham reported

July 4, 2015

16 militants killed in Afghanistan ’s counter-offensive

KUNDUZ: The counter-offensive to regain control of Dasht-e-Arch district in the northern Kunduz province has been continuing since Friday and so far 16 Taliban fighters had been killed, spokesman for provincial government Abdul Wadood Wahidi said Saturday. “Since launching the counter-offensive in Dasht-e-Archi on Friday morning, 16 Taliban rebels have been killed and several others injured,” Wadood told reporters here. Four security personnel were injured over the past two days, the official added. Meantime, Zabihullah Mujahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit, in contact with media confirmed the fighting but added the district headquarters is still in Taliban control. Taliban militants captured Chardara and Dasht-e-Archi districts some two weeks ago. However, the government forces have already regain the control of Chardara district but the operation for evicting Taliban from Dasht-e-Arch district has been continuing.

Pakistan-US ties to be further strengthened: PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and the United States are committed to consolidating their relationship into a broad and enduring partnership. He said this in a letter of felicitation to the US President Barack Obama and American nation on their Independence Day. The Prime Minister said that our two nations are bound by ideals of freedom, democracy and human rights. He said Pakistan values the confidence and understanding that exists at the leadership level between our two countries. He assured that Pakistan will continue to adhere to further strengthening bilateral beneficial relations and enhanced cooperation to the benefit of the two peoples. The Prime Minister wished the people of the United States , continued progress and prosperity. “We are committed to consolidating this relationship into a broad and enduring partnership,” he said according to a PM House statement. He assured that Pakistan would continue to adhere to further strengthening bilateral beneficial relations and enhanced cooperation to the benefit of the two peoples.  He wished the people of the United States of America , continued progress and prosperity. Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan valued the confidence and understanding that existed at the leadership level between the two countries.

US lawmaker lauds Pakistan 's ‘determined’ steps to wipe out extremism

CHICAGO : Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to the United States Congress, has lauded Pakistan government’s determined measures, especially the Zarb-e-Azb military operation,  to stamp out extremism from the country, when Pakistani Consul General Faisal Niaz Tirmizi met him. The meeting took place in Minneapolis., the largest city in the State of Minnesota , on Friday, a day ahead of the American Independence Day. A press release issued by the Pakistani Consulate General said the US lawmaker also praised the governmental steps to improve economic indicators, particularly in industry.  Congressman Ellison said the Pakistani-American community has played its role in the socio-economic development of the United States and that he has close association with its members.  Ellison also said he had met Pakistani Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani at President Barack Obama’s Iftar Dinner in Washington last month, and he appreciated the work being done the Pakistani missions in Washington and Chicago to further strengthen US-Pakistan ties, according to the press release.

‘Reduction in tension between Pakistan , India important for regional stability’

WASHINGTON : The relations between Pakistan and India are important to the United States and it wants to see a reduction in tension between the two countries for regional stability, a US State Department spokesman said on Thursday. “It is an important region where lots of challenges, lots of common challenges that both countries can continue to work on,” spokesman John Kirby said while responding to a question at a daily briefing here. “Many of them, all of them need to be worked down between India and Pakistan .” US Secretary of State John Kerry last month expressed his deep concern over the recent increase in tension between Pakistan and India . “It is important to him (Kerry) to continue to have a dialogue with his counterparts in India and Pakistan because the issues are so important to regional stability,” Spokesman Kirby said adding that the secretary would continue to engage on this and there would be more dialogue.“We have seen tension between Pakistan and India rise and fall,” he said adding that reduction in tension suits all parties.

MQM workers being treated like prisoner of war: Altaf Hussain

LONDON :  Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief  Altaf Hussain has said that  his party workers are  being treated as if they are prisoners of war.. This he said while speaking to Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah by phone from London. MQM chief regretted over ignoring of  phone calls in Dubai by PPP leadership saying “Nobody attended by phone calls in Dubai. I made several calls on two telephone numbers. He expressed dismay over the  behavior of Qaim Ali Shah and Asif Ali Zardari saying their behavior  was regrettable.  An old aged  Sindh chief minister was unable to understand his issue, he added.

Pakistan protests detention of diplomat in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: After months of relative calm, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan flared up once again on Thursday when ambassadors of both countries were summoned to the respective foreign ministries. On Thursday evening, Janan Mosazai, Ambassador of Afghanistan, was summoned to the Foreign Office and a demarche was made regarding the detention of an official of Pakistan Consulate General in Kandahar by the Afghan authorities. “He was forcibly taken away and kept in detention. Serious concern was also expressed on the unprovoked firing by the Afghan border police at the Angoor Adda gate on the Pakistan side, which resulted in injuries to two security personnel,” Spokesman at the Foreign Office told the media a day after the summoning. He added that finally, it was the result of the “strenuous efforts” made by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, that the detained official was handed over to the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul on Thursday. “It was emphasised that in view of close and brotherly relations existing between the two countries, which have significantly enhanced recently, such incidents should not have taken place,” said the spokesman in a statement.Pakistan and Afghan officials have confirmed the exchange of firing late Tuesday that caused casualties on both sides of the border. On Thursday, the spokesman said that Pakistan was constructing a gate well within its territory at Angoor Adda, which has recently seen crossborder fighting. Tensions flared up on Wednesday when according to the ISPR, “rocket and few rounds of small arms were fired on Angoor Adda (South Waziristan) gate from the Afghan side due to which two security personnel were injured”. “Pakistani troops responded and targeted positions from where the fire was coming,” the ISPR added.Thursday also saw Afghanistan summoning Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kabul, Abrar Hussain, to the foreign ministry and lodging a protest over the recent cross-border shelling.Afghanistan claimed that Pakistan was illegally putting up construction on the Afghan side of the border and accused the Pakistani forces of killing an Afghan border police commander.

Afghan parliament rejects minister designate for defense

KABUL: The Afghan Wolesi Jirga, or Lower House of parliament, on Saturday rejected minister-designate for defense Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai with majority calling on President Ashraf Ghani to nominate new one for the post. “Since Stanikzai failed to obtain 107 votes in his favor therefore the lower house wants the president to introduce new person for the post of Defense Minister,” chairman of the house Abdul Rauf Ibrahim said after counting the votes. Out of 213 lawmakers attending the voting session, only 84 voted in Stanikzai’s favor while 104 voted against and the remaining stayed abstain. The Afghan Defense Ministry has been run by an acting minister since Ghani took office last September.

BD Islamists demand ex-minister’s death for blasphemy

DHAKA: Thousands of Islamists protested on Friday in the Bangladeshi capital demanding the death penalty for a former government minister accused of blasphemy for comments perceived to be against Islam. Anger among Islamists has been rising since former telecommunications minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui was released on bail last week over comments he made in 2014 against the annual hajj pilgrimage. Supporters of Hefajat-e-Islam and other hardline Islamic groups chanted “Death for infidel Latif” and waved placards during a march through the capital. “Our protest will continue till the government ensures the highest punishment for the non-believer,” Noor Hossain Kafeli, a senior leader of Hefajat, told.

Only one in 10 rural India homes has fridge

NEW DELHI: The main breadwinner in three-quarters of households in rural India makes less than $80 a month while barely one in 10 homes has a refrigerator, a survey showed on Friday. While living standards have grown rapidly in India’s towns and cities in the last two decades, the census of some 180 million rural households highlighted how many of the poorest states are lagging far behind. “This will give us a measure of the progress made by different sections and help with future policy planning,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at a press conference to mark the launch of the survey conducted in 2011. While the survey did not give the national average, it showed only 25.5 percent of rural households had someone who earned more than 5,000 rupees a month while just 9.68 percent included a member who draws a regular salary. Previous government data covering the same period put the nationwide average monthly income at around 5,130 rupees. The survey did illustrate how ownership of mobile phones is now widespread in rural areas, with 68 percent of households owning at least one device. But only 11 percent of households had a fridge and that figure slumped to around three percent in the third largest state of Bihar and in Chattisgarh, which is one of the focuses of an insurgency by Maoist rebels. A survey by Euromonitor released last year said that around 27 percent of all Indian households owned a fridge, against an Asia-wide average of around 65 percent. With most rural livelihoods at least partly dependent on agriculture, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently launched a series of farming initiatives — including a new $8 billion irrigation scheme — after accusations his government has been too business-friendly.

July 3, 2015

‘No breakthrough’ in Iran nuclear-talks

VIENNA : World powers negotiating a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions were grappling for a breakthrough as last-ditch talks dragged into a sixth day on Thursday. With the diplomatic drive playing out both in Vienna and Tehran , ministers held a flurry of meetings as the clock ticked down to a new July 7 deadline. UN nuclear watchdog chief Yukiya Amano held talks in Tehran with the chairman of Iran ’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, and was due to meet President Hassan Rouhani later in the day. “I don’t think we are at any kind of breakthrough moment yet,” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said as he arrived in the Austrian capital to join US Secretary of State John Kerry. But Hammond stressed: “The work goes on. You’re going to see over the next few days ministers coming and ministers going to maintain the momentum of these discussions.” The P5+1 powers — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — are seeking to finalise a long-sought accord which will put a nuclear bomb beyond Iran’s reach, in return for lifting biting sanctions against the Islamic republic. It would end a 13-year standoff over Iran ’s suspect nuclear programme, and draw the curtain on almost two years of intense negotiations which resumed in earnest after Rouhani came to power in August 2013. “It is clear that we are not there yet. There are small and big obstacles, and we are working on removing these,” said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “Whether everyone’s will and courage will be enough at the end of the day is a question that we can’t answer yet.” Iran rejects allegations that it has been seeking to develop nuclear arms, and has resisted moves to give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unparalleled access to sensitive military sites to verify its claims. Amano’s visit to Tehran at Iran ’s invitation is aimed at jump-starting a stalled international probe. “Any deal which ensures the pursuit and progress of the peaceful nuclear industry as well as the unconditional lifting of the unjust and illegal sanctions will be seen as positive,” said Shamkhani, quoted by the Iranian news agency IRNA. Kerry was also expected to lock horns again later with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, while EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini arrived back in Vienna. “We are not there yet, but we are moving forward so it’s going rather well,” Mogherini said. Asked by journalists waiting outside the elegant Coburg Palace where the talks are being held if he was confident of a deal, Zarif replied from the balcony of his room: “I have to be hopeful”. He also denied reports he was returning to Tehran again for further guidance, saying: “No I am here”. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, accompanied by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, were also due to arrive in Vienna later in the day. “We are working very, very hard and we have some very difficult issues,” Kerry said on Wednesday, a day after the deadline for a deal was effectively extended to July 7. “But we believe we’re making progress and we’re going to continue to work because of that,” he told reporters. Tough issues include the pace and timing of sanctions relief, the mechanism for their “snapback” and Iran’s future development of faster nuclear equipment.

Reduction in tension between Pakistan, India vital for regional stability: US

WASHINGTON: The Relations between Pakistan and India are important to the United States and it wants to see reduction of tension between the two countries for regional stability, a US state department spokesman said on Thursday. “It is an important region where lots of challenges, lots of common challenges that both countries can continue to work on,” spokesman John Kirby said while responding to a question at a daily briefing here. “Many of them, all of them need to be worked down between India and Pakistan.” U.S Secretary of State John Kerry last month expressed his deep concern over the recent increase in tension between Pakistan and India.”It is important to him (Kerry) to continue to have a dialogue with his counterparts in India and Pakistan because the issues are so important to regional stability,” spokesman Kirby said adding that the secretary would continue to engage on this and there would be more dialogue.“We have seen tension between Pakistan and India rise and fall,” he said adding that reduction in tension suits all parties.

Pakistan summons Afghan ambassador over cross-border shelling

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghan ambassador and lodged protest over a recent cross-border shelling which injured two Pakistani security personnel, officials said. Security officials say Afghan forces fired at Pakistani security men who had been building a gate on its side of the border in South Waziristan tribal region. Kabul; however, alleged the construction was on Afghan territory. The Afghan interior ministry says an Afghan border police commander was killed in Pakistani firing late Tuesday. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that protest was also lodged with the Afghan ambassador, Janan Mosazai, over the detention of a Pakistani consulate official in southern Afghan city of Kandahar. “Serious concern was expressed on the unprovoked firing by the Afghan Border Police at Angoor Adda (South Waziristan) gate on Pakistan side, which resulted in injuries to two security personnel,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. “It was emphasized that in view of close and brotherly relations existing between the two countries, which have significantly enhanced recently, such incidents should not have taken place,” the statement said. The Foreign Ministry said a demarche was made regarding detention of an official of Pakistan Consulate General at Kandahar by Afghan authorities, who was “forcibly taken away and kept in detention.” The Ambassador assured that he would convey our concerns to higher authorities in Kabul, the statement said. As a result of the strenuous efforts made by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul and the Ministry, the detained official was handed over to the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul late Thursday evening. Afghan gov’t had also summoned Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, Abrar Hussain, on Thursday over alleged firing from the Pakistani side of the border.

Registration of unregistered Afghans in Pakistan to start from July 25

PESHAWAR: The registration of unregistered Afghan refugees living in Pakistan without solid travelling documents would commence from July 25 and would be completed in six months time.Official sources in Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees told APP here on Friday that registration of the unregistered Afghan refugees would start from July 25 that would continue till January 2016. He said this registration would be completed in six months time.  The official sources said the target of registering one million Afghan refugees has been fixed during the said period. As many as 21 registration centres in Pakistan including 11 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be setup where most of the Afghan refugees are living. Out of these 11 centres in KP, four would be set up in Peshawar, and one each in Nowshera, Haripur, Mansehra, Kohat, Hangu, Mardan and Dir. The registration would be completed with assistance of National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Afghan Commissionerate and other allied departments.Following registration and verification, every Afghan family would get an Afghan Citizen Certificate (ACC) and that these cards would give a legal purely temporary stay status to the illegal Afghans.  This is a good opportunity for the Afghan refugees to avail it as in case of non-compliance the unregistered Afghans would be expelled from the country, the official said. This would be the last chance for the Afghans to get themselves registered and those failing to do so would be dealt with under the Foreigners Act, the officials clarified.

Pakistan HC calls on UK Shadow Foreign Secretary in London

LONDON: Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Syed Ibne Abbas paid a courtesy call on Hilary Benn, MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary in his office at the British House of Commons, London, on Thursday. A range of issues of mutual interest came under discussion, according to a message received here from London on Friday.  The High Commissioner offered his heartfelt condolences on the killing of 30 British citizens in the last week terrorist attack in Tunisia. Expressing his gratitude for the thoughtful gesture, Mr Benn briefed the High Commissioner on the steps being considered by the British government to deal with the threats posed by the self-styled ISIS (Islamic State) in the Middle East.  The High Commissioner took the opportunity to emphasize on the urgent need to consider using the name Daesh instead of the Islamic State, as the term was a misnomer for a terrorist outfit which is neither Islamic nor State. Mr Benn appreciated the suggestion.  The High Commissioner also updated the MP on positive outcomes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, regional situation and the state of economy which was on a positive trajectory.

Pakistan PM to visit Norway on Tuesday

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Norway next week at the invitation of his Norwegian counterparty Erna Solberg to participate in Oslo Summit on Education for Development on Tuesday, Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said. According to the spokesman, the summit will be held on July 7. This will be the first official visit by a Pakistani leader to Norway in over a decade. During the visit, the Prime Minister will address the Education Summit and interact with several world leaders. The Prime Minister will hold delegation level talks with his Norwegian counterpart. He will also meet Crown Prince of Norway Haakon Magnus. The visit will provide an opportunity to the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral as well as global and regional issues with the Norwegian leadership. The Prime Minister’s visit will help in strengthening the existing ties between Pakistan and Norway.

Pakistani hacker gives tough time to Indian websites yet again

NEW DELHI: The website of India’s National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur was hacked and defaced allegedly by Pakistani hacker Faisal Afzal, Indian media reported on Friday. A report published in “The Times of India” said that the website was defaced with text that read: “Hacked Pak Cyber Attackers”. A slogan at the bottom which said: “Pakistan Zindabad” was followed by “nothing harmed just defaced and deleted some vulnerable files, we are Muslim hackers, we hack for cause, not for fun”. The hacker also displayed a mirror link to the hacked NIT page on his Facebook page which said that the National Institute of Technology Raipur Official Website has been hacked and rooted. “National Institute of Technology Raipur Official Website HACKED AND ROOTED”. The report quoted cyber security expert Mohit Sahu as saying that Afzal messaged him on Facebook to tell him he had hacked the NIT website. Sahu claimed Afzal had been accessing the NIT website for about a year but escaped detection. He had earlier hacked NIT Kolkata’s website and posted a mirror link to that on his Facebook as well, Sahu added. “By hacking, Afzal wanted to show how vulnerable the websites are.” The hacker had not destroyed or deleted any files, said Sahu, who added that the loophole would be remedied through discussion with cyber experts. The NIT website was shut down and restored within a few hours but it is possible the hacker may strike again. “The hacker still has the ‘buzz’ and he can hack whenever he wants to … Buzz is an open-source content management system mostly used by amateur users and they are in millions. Once it gets leaked or decoded, anyone can hack the sites,” Sahu said. Mocking the technology used by Indian government website, Afzal reportedly warned that Pakistani hackers may hack more websites belonging to the Indian government. Sahu said most Chhattisgarh government are vulnerable and can be hacked easily. Indian hackers have also taken down several Pakistani websites in the recent past. Last year in October, hackers claiming to be Indians had defaced the website of the Lahore High Court, purportedly in response to PPP patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto’s statements about Kashmir, in which he was reported to have said that his party would take the entire disputed region back to Pakistan. The official website of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was also defaced last year in October by a team of Indian hackers who had slammed Bilawal for his statement on Kashmir.

Indian govt regrets flight delays due to minister, staff

NEW DELHI: Following a central minister and a state official recently causing flight delays and inconvenience to air passengers and the Prime Minister’s Office seeking a report on it, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju on Thursday expressed regrets and assured that such episodes would not recur. At a press conference here, Raju said he has called for an investigation into the matter pertaining to the central minister and was awaiting for the first reports to come in before initiating action. He did not spell out what action was contemplated. ”I’ve called in for information. But since people have been inconvenienced, I as the civil aviation minister of this country offer my apologies. Let the first reports come in. Let us know the truth and I will do my duty,” Raju added. At the same time, the minister sought to brush aside the matter. ”These things routinely happen with all the airlines, not just Air India. In fact, they have been operating on time and serving the Indian skies well,” he said, adding that his colleagues were actually complaining that they were missing flights due to Air India’s on-time performance. The minister’s reaction came after the Prime Minister’s Office asked the civil aviation ministry for a report on the delay in two Air India flights on account of VIP travels. ”PMO India asks Ministry of Civil Aviation for a report on delay in #AirIndia flights on account of VIP travels in the recent past,” Press Information Bureau chief Frank Noronha tweeted. The civil aviation minister said it was in public knowledge that the PMO had inquired about the recent flight delays. “But we have not yet received any formal inquiry from them. But it is expected soon.”

Nepalese Minister resigns

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s agriculture minister resigned on Thursday following a storm of criticism after videos and photographs of him attempting to hug women during recent festival celebrations were posted online, officials said. Images of Hari Prasad Parajuli, minister for agriculture development, trying to grab and hug women during Tuesday’s celebrations marking the beginning of the annual rice planting season went viral on social media late on Wednesday, sparking accusations of sexual harassment.

July 2, 2015

Army Unit Commander among 19 died in train accident

GUJRANWALA : At least 19 people, including four army officers, were killed when three bogies of a special train carrying army officials fell into a canal and another was derailed as a railway bridge collapsed near Gujranwala on Thursday. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said 14 dead bodies had been recovered from the site of the incident, while divers were searching the canal for five more dead bodies. The deceased include Pakistan Army Engineering Battalion Unit Commander Lt. Col Amir Jadoon, his wife and two kids, Lt. Col Rashid, Major Adil, Lieutenant Kashif, Constable Islam, Lance Naik Zafar and staffers Babar and Aslam. Four bogies of a “special train” carrying military troops fell into a canal near Gujranwala on Thursday According to a statement issued by the army, 80 passengers have been rescued so far, of which five are injured. According to reports, a section of the Head Chanawa bridge collapsed while the train was passing by the area. The train was en route from Punno Akal to Kharian Cantt in Gujrat. Earlier while talking to reporters, Railway Minister Saad Rafique said six people on board the train were missing, while all others had been rescued. He went on to add that an emergency had been declared in all hospitals of the district. “It may be a terrorist attack,” said Rafique, adding that several people received injuries due to the accident and have been shifted to Rasul Nagar hospital and GHQ Hospital . Army rescue teams, Corps Commander and divers reached the site of the accident and a rescue operation is currently underway. “Almost 200 people were travelling on the train,” said SSP Waqas Nazir, adding that the canal has been closed to carryout the rescue operation. Later on, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed concerns for those injured in the accident. He directed the concerned authorities to mobilise all resources to rescue the injured and restore the track.

Landslides kill 42 in India ’s Darjeeling tea region

TINGLING, India: Rescuers were digging through piles of debris to search for survivors after landslides triggered by heavy rain killed at least 42 people across India’s famed tea-growing region of Darjeeling, police said on Wednesday. Some half a dozen people were feared trapped under mounds of mud at the remote Tingling tea estate in Mirik area where rescue teams were struggling to reach those buried. With bulldozers and other heavy land-moving equipment unable to reach the remote areas, rescuers were using bare hands and some basic tools to remove the debris. Overnight landslides also struck homes built on slopes in Kalimpong and Darjeeling in West Bengal state, leaving a trail of destruction in the scenic region. “Rescuers have so far found 30 bodies — 17 in Mirik, 11 in Kalimpong and two near Darjeeling town,” Darjeeling district police superintendent Amit P Javalgi told by telephone. Some 2,000 persons have been evacuated from the sites of landslides with more army reinforcements expected. The tourist season in Darjeeling district, which is known for its lush green tea plantations, ended with the onset of the annual monsoon rains and those stranded are mainly villagers in remote hilly areas. Javalgi described mud and water barrelling down hills in the worst-hit tourist town of Mirik along with Kalimpong hill station further north. “We have reports of over 100 houses getting washed away in these two towns and many people were evacuated from the sites,” he said. “The rush of mud and water tore down everything in its path in Mirik and Kalimpong.” He said border guards were being deployed to help with the rescue effort which was being hampered by ongoing rains in the district. West Bengal police inspector-general Anuj Sharma said from Kolkata that he feared “many people” were caught in the landslides which, along with the heavy rains, have also cut roads and telephone links. Photos showed small bridges washed away or destroyed, leaving residents stranded. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said junior home minister Kiren Rijiju was being rushed to Darjeeling to review the situation. “Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to the landslides in Darjeeling district. Condolences to the families of the deceased,” Modi tweeted. Floods and landslides hit South Asia every year during the monsoon season. In the western state of Gujarat, floods caused by the annual rains last week left at least 55 people dead.

Pakistan reaffirms good ties with Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to good neighborly relations with Afghanistan for peace and stability in the region. At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said we will continue to support an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace and reconciliation process. He said a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s best interest. Noninterference in internal affairs of Afghanistan is the key pillar of Pakistan Afghan policy. He said the two sides are constructively engaged to rebuild mutual trust and understanding. The spokesman said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are cooperating to counter terrorism. About the presence of Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nation Maleeha Lodhi in Islamabad, he said she is in the federal capital for routine consultations. Broad range of issues of Pakistan’s interests at the United Nations are being discussed in these consultations. The spokesman said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to represent Pakistan at the annual session of the UN General Assembly in September. About possible meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart  Narendra Modi on the sidelines of SCO summit in Russia, the spokesman said no side has contacted the other for the meeting. To a question , he said Pakistan has requested information about facts and contents of the BBC documentary from Britain. We are still awaiting the response of Britain. About the arrest of Analyst Zaid Hamid in Saudi Arabia, Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan embassy has approached the Saudi authorities to confirm the sentence awarded to him. It has also asked for consular access as well as the charges levelled against Zaid Hamid.

Pakistan welcomes opening of embassies by USA and Cuba

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Thursday welcomed the announcement made by the governments of United States of America and the Republic of Cuba to re-open embassies in each other’s capitals. In a statement issued here today he stated that this step to re-establish full diplomatic relations that were terminated in 1961, will help promote friendly relations between the two countries and their peoples. The Adviser noted that Pakistan had welcomed the momentous announcement by the two countries in December last year to re-establish diplomatic relations. Sartaj Aziz said that as a friend of both countries, Pakistan believed that further steps towards full normalization of relations will also promote the cause of peace and harmony in that region.  He wished both governments success as they moved forward in this direction.

Indonesian ship arrives on goodwill cum-training visit

KARACHI: Indonesian Navy Ship KRI BANGARMASIN-592 Thursday arrived on a goodwill cum training visit at Karachi Port was accorded a warm welcome and received by senior officials of Pakistan Navy and Indonesian Consul General in Pakistan.  As many as 99 Indonesian Navy cadets are also visiting Pakistan onboard KRI BANJARMASIN, said a statement.  During the two days visit, the Ship’s Commanding Officer will meet various Pakistan Navy Commands at Karachi.  During the stay of the Indonesian Naval Ship, various training activities and discussions on Maritime Security and Amphibious Operations are planned. Friendly sports events and visits of Indonesian delegation to PN establishments will also be undertaken.  Pakistan Navy personnel including cadets from Pakistan Naval Academy will also visit Indonesian Navy Ship.  At the end of the visit, the Indonesian Ship will conduct Exercise with Pakistan Navy Fleet Units.  Pakistan Navy and Indonesian Navy enjoy historic, brotherly relations and frequently interact with each other for joint exercises, port calls, training etc. The current visit of Indonesian Navy Ship is of high significance as it will help in promoting peace and security in the region, further enhance defence ties and further improve maritime collaboration between the two brotherly countries in general and navies in particular. These visits are also in line with the government policies to enhance Maritime Collaboration with regional and extra regional countries. Pakistan Navy and Indonesian Navy enjoy historic, brotherly relations and frequently interact with each other for joint exercises, port calls, training etc. The current visit of Indonesian Navy Ship is of high significance as it will help in promoting peace and security in the region, further enhance defence ties and further improve maritime collaboration between the two brotherly countries in general and navies in particular. These visits are also in line with Govt policies to enhance Maritime Collaboration with regional and extra regional countries.

Quake aid supplies stuck at Nepal customs

KATHMANDU: Bureaucratic customs procedures are slowing down aid deliveries to quake-devastated Nepal even as monsoon rains threaten to disrupt supply routes to the worst-hit areas, a senior UN official said on Wednesday. The landlocked Himalayan nation needs around $6.7 billion to recover from the disaster that killed more than 8,800 people, destroyed nearly half a million houses and left thousands in need of food, clean water and shelter. Nepal’s government has faced steady criticism for holding up foreign relief deliveries since a 7.8-magnitude quake struck on April 25, despite Kathmandu signing a 2007 agreement with the UN that guarantees faster customs clearance for humanitarian aid in the event of a disaster. “The sense of urgency cannot be overstated... we can’t afford administrative, bureaucratic delays,” said John Ging, the director of operations for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “Monsoons will exacerbate the situation in every respect... speed is of the essence, we have got to mobilise as fast as we can in this period,” Ging told media during an interview in Kathmandu. The delivery of aid to remote mountainous villages is expected to suffer a serious blow as monsoon rains move across the country amid fears they will trigger landslides and cause further damage to quake-hit roads. The UN says some 2.8 million people still require humanitarian aid, including access to food, sanitation and medical care, with its initial $422 million emergency appeal only generating $168 million in funding. UN officials have asked the government to streamline customs procedures in a bid to convince donors to contribute more to the relief effort, Ging said. “Everybody who is donating money from abroad wants to make sure that the money gets to the people that are affected, they don’t want to hear that supplies are stuck in warehouses in the capital because of some bureaucratic customs procedure,” he said. “We want to speed up (funding) but that means speeding up the administration here as well.” In addition to humanitarian aid, Nepal — one of the world’s poorest countries even before the disaster — also needs assistance to rebuild damaged or destroyed homes, schools and hospitals. The government wants reconstruction funds to be channelled through a new state body, raising concerns among some donors that bureaucracy and poor planning will hamper rebuilding. International donors, led by neighbouring India and China, last week pledged $4.4 billion to help rebuild the country.

India's UP has eight fake universities

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of “fake” universities in the country at eight, followed by six in Delhi, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said on Wednesday. It said the country has 21 such bogus universities. There was a university in Lucknow whose matter is being heard before court, the officials said. According the UGC website, the Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Jagatpuri; Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj; United Nations University; Vocational University; ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra Place; and Indian Institute of Science and Engineering were notified as fake universities in Delhi. The list includes one institution each in Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

July 1, 2015

Pakistan in an undeclared war with Afghanistan , says Ghani

KABUL : President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said on Tuesday Pakistan was in an undeclared war with Afghanistan and anyone lighting fire in Afghanistan will itself burn in that fire. He said everyone must know that the instability in Afghanistan causes instability in the whole region.The future of Afghanistan is dependent on cooperation from the regional countries, he said adding that a fundamental change is impossible without assistance of the neighbours. He said Afghanistan was facing challenges but security forces had the ability to overcome these challegnes.While accepting the vast presence of foreign insurgents in the country, the president said foreign militants from 10 countries were operating only in the northern Kundoz province.He said they could offer sacrifices for another five thousand years. He pledged to rebuild Afghanistan .

Devastating mudslides in India kill 30

NEW DELHI : Incessant rainfall over the past three days triggered devastating mudslides in Darjeeling that left at least 30 dead and many missing, Indian officials said on Wednesday. Darjeeling is a town in India ’s West Bengal state. Rescue operations were severely hampered as heavy slush that poured down the hillside washed away roads connecting the worst affected areas. The situation is likely to get worse as the meteorogical office issued an alert of heavy rainfall for the next five days in Darjeeling and other parts of north Bengal . Chief minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her Birbhum administrative meeting on Wednesday morning and heading for North Bengal from Murshidabad. State home secretary had earlier rushed to Darjeeling to coordinate relief and rescue operations. The maximum casualty happened in Saureni gram panchayat located along the road to Mirik via Dudhia. At least 20 people are feared dead, buried under debris that hurtled down the hillside. Till reports last came in, eight bodies had been recovered. Of them, three are from Takling Limbugaon, four from Groundgaon and one from Toklanggaon. The remaining 14 presumed buried in the mud and debris are all from Limbugaon. “The victims were buried in their sleep as the late night mudslide flattened the hutments at the foothills,” said a local. In Kalimpong, seven are feared dead though five bodies have been recovered so far. The dead were identified as Jaiprakash Rai (60) from Algarah, couple Sanjoy Gazmer and Priya Sarki from 11th Mile Saheed Park and Amrit Rai (10) from 7th Mile. Amirt’s parents Ramesh and Kusum are missing. One person was also killed at Kolbang near Gorubathan on way to popular honeymoon spots Lava and Lolegaon. At Jaldhaka near Darjeeling , seven persons were reported missing after being washed away in the mudslide. One person was also killed and three others went missing at Domohoni near Jalpaiguri while attempting to gather logs floating down the Teesta river. With torrential downpour since Sunday evening, a disaster was waiting to happen as copious quantities of rainwater led to rapid soil erosion along the hill slopes. By Tuesday, there were ominous signs of mud-streams springing up all over the Hills. The threshold point was breached sometime late on Tuesday night when the intensity of rain increased. The huge volume of water mixed with the wet loose earth, causing it to rapidly liquefy. This slush turned killer as it flowed downhill, gathering boulders, trees and other debris on the way. The SSB and state police have begun the rescue operations at Mirik, Kalimpong and Sukhiapokhri areas of Darjeeling . But progress was slow as the mudslides had washed away most roads, slowing down progress and hampering transport of heavy earth-moving equipment. The disruption of roads has also left several hundred off-season tourists stranded. “Our priority is to rescue people and provide them with medical aid. The biggest challenge is to get through the worse hit areas amidst the incessant rains,” North Bengal development minister, Gautam Deb said. The Rakti Bridge connecting Mirik with Siliguri has been swept away by the flood near Simulbari. Darjeeling district magistrate Anurag Srivastava said the administration had sought Army’s help to restore road connectivity. “Roads have been damaged at several places and we are trying to move earth removing equipment to the affected areas,” said Srivastava. National Highway 10 connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country was also affected by landslides at Sethijhora. Regional meteorogical centre director GC Debnath warned the situation could turn worse with Darjeeling being pelted with heavy rainfall over the next five days as well. “Continuous heavy rainfall causes mudslide. We have therefore issued an alert to the Darjeeling district administration,” he said. Kurseong has received 185.30 mm rain in the last 24 hours while Kalimpong received 137 mm, Siliguri 92.40 mm and Darjeeling 42.30 mm. While the situation remained grim in Darjeeling , a flood like situation was rapidly developing in Jalpaiguri. The Teesta river in spate destroyed houses in Dhupguri and Biren bustee located along the river bank. With the water level breaching the danger level, the administration began evacuating people from other habitations along the river.

Taliban wage bloody fighting season; Suicide blasts hit Afghanistan

KABUL : Suicide attackers on Tuesday targeted foreign troops in Kabul and a police headquarters in restive southern Afghanistan , killing two people and wounding nearly 60, as the Taliban’s bloody summer offensive showed no signs of letting up. A powerful blast echoed around the Afghan capital as a suicide car bomber hit a convoy of foreign military vehicles on the main road to the airport, around 500 metres from the US embassy, wounding at least 17 people. Hours earlier at least two civilians were killed when a suicide truck bomb detonated at the gate of the police headquarters in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province. Afghan troops and police are battling the Taliban in the first “fighting season” since Nato ended its combat mission and left local forces to take charge of security. Tuesday’s violence came less than two days after 11 soldiers were killed in a Taliban ambush in the normally relatively peaceful western province of Herat . “It was a suicide car bomber targeting a convoy of foreign forces in Kabul ,” interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. A spokesman for the health ministry said initial reports showed at least 17 people were wounded in the Kabul blast, including women and children. In Helmand , provincial police spokesman Farid Ahmad Obaid told the police headquarters attack left at least two civilians dead and 40 wounded. “It was a suicide truck bomber detonating his vehicle at the gate of police headquarters,” Obaid told media. Provincial police chief Nabi Jan Mullahkhil told reporters three attackers were involved. “Two attackers were killed in the explosion while the third one was injured and as he tried to escape the police shot him,” he said. Provincial spokesman Omar Zhwak confirmed the attack and said most of the wounded were hit inside their homes by flying glass. A doctor at the emergency hospital in Lashkar Gah said 40 civilians were brought to the hospital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. But the Taliban, who launched their annual spring-summer offensive in late April, vowed nationwide attacks in what is expected to be the bloodiest summer for a decade. After the Helmand attack a small blast hit a military vehicle in Kabul, police said, though there were no casualties. “A small sticky bomb attached to a military vehicle detonated in western Kabul this morning. Only the car was damaged,” Kabul police spokesman Ebadullah Karimi Kabul told. Nato’s combat mission formally ended in December after 13 years, but a small follow-up foreign force named Resolute Support has stayed on to train and support local security forces. Stretched on multiple fronts and facing record casualties, Afghan forces are struggling to rein in the militants even as the government makes repeated efforts to jump-start peace negotiations.

Zarif back at nuclear talks, seeking ‘final deal’

VIENNA: Iran’s foreign minister kept his cards close to his chest on Tuesday as he met with US top diplomat John Kerry for the next stage of marathon nuclear talks, while saying a final deal was possible. As Iranian minister Mohammed Javad Zarif returned from consultations in Tehran, a deadline of midnight (2200 GMT) for an accord ending a dangerous 13-year standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions was widely expected to be extended, but only by a few more days. In what may be a positive sign, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also arrived in Vienna to meet Kerry and Zarif, with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier due to return to the Austrian capital later in the day, sources said. After huddling alone with Kerry one-on-one for almost two hours, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said: “I am here to get a final deal and I think we can.” The two men were then joined by their teams for a broader meeting, with nuclear experts US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Iran’s Ali Akbar Salehi, who played a key role in brokering the outlines of a breakthrough accord in April in Lausanne, also around the table. “The only agreement that the Iranian nation will accept is a just and balanced one (respecting) the national greatness and the rights of the Iranian people,” Zarif told Iranian media as he arrived back from a whirlwind one-day trip back to Tehran. “All the officials have said they are ready for... a fair and rational trade-off,” Zarif said. Zarif’s return to Tehran on Sunday night, after a weekend of intense negotiations with Kerry and other foreign ministers, had sparked speculation that he would return with clear guidance that would enable an accord to be sealed. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared to give Zarif his blessing, tweeting in English Tuesday: “I recognise our negotiators as trustworthy, committed, brave and faithful.” Under the Lausanne framework, Iran agreed to substantially scale down its nuclear activities in order to make any attempt to develop nuclear weapons — an aim denied by Tehran — virtually impossible. In return, painful sanctions that have suffocated the Iranian economy by choking its lifeblood oil exports and its ability to earn foreign currency will be progressively lifted. But turning the 505-word joint statement drawn up in a Swiss lakeside hotel into a fully-fledged, highly technical document of several dozen pages and around five annexes, has proved hard work. A US official warned on Monday “there are real and tough issues that remain which have to be resolved”. Key sticking points include the pace and timing of sanctions relief, the mechanism for their “snapback” and Iran’s future development of newer, faster centrifuges. Another thorny topic is the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) watchdog, whose chief Yukiya Amano met Kerry on Monday and who has been closely involved in the talks this week. Under the mooted deal, it will be up to the IAEA, which already keeps close tabs on Iran’s declared nuclear sites with between four and 10 inspectors on the ground on any given day, to verify that Iran really does reduce its capacities. But the P5+1 powers — the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany — also want the IAEA to have wider inspection rights to verify any suspicious activity that might indicate work in secret on a nuclear bomb. This could include the IAEA visiting military bases, something that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week rejected as a “red line”. A probe into allegations of such activity, before 2003 and possibly since, is stalled but clearing up these claims is a key condition of the six powers for a deal. “It is important to get all the details right so that there are no ambiguities or weaknesses that can be exploited by critics of an agreement on both sides,” said Arms Control Association expert Kelsey Davenport. “This is an historic moment — both sides have come too far to walk away without a good deal,” she said.

All institutions responsible for Karachi heatwave killings: Nawaz Sharif

KARACHI: Ending blaming game, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said it was unfair to hold single entity responsible of recent deaths caused by heatwave in Karachi but collective failure of all departments. He was chairing a meeting on recent intense heat wave in Karachi and the resulting casualties at Chief Minister House in Karachi on Wednesday. “This was an unprecedented in the history of Pakistan and all departments who shirked their responsibilities adding to public misery should be held accountable in a transparent manner”, Nawaz Sharif said. He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives as a result of intense hot weather. The Prime Minister said the whole country sympathizes with the affected people in this hour of grief. Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah thanked the Prime Minister for taking personal interest in matters of the province, particularly Karachi. He briefed the Prime Minister on the crisis that hit the metropolitan city on the 19th of last month, causing hundreds of casualties and the relief and remedial measures taken by the provincial government in its aftermath. The Prime Minister was informed that more than 65000 patients reported in Karachi hospitals during this period out of which about 1250 lost their lives. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also given briefing on water situation in Karachi. The Chief Secretary Sindh apprised the Prime Minister about the Greater Karachi Bulk water supply scheme from Kinjhar lake to meet present and future needs. The project would be completed in three phases. The Prime Minister directed that a monitoring committee should be set up to ensure efficiency and transparency in execution of the water project in a speedy manner. He said the federal government would share the project cost with the provincial government. The meeting was also briefed on 17.8-km Green Line Bus rapid transit system which is being funded by the federal government. Eight billion rupees have already been released for project.

One-on-One meeting between Nawaz-Modi expected in Russia

UFA: One-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi is expected on the sidelines of the annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Russian city of Ufa on July 9. According to reports, developments are underway in this regard and high officials of the two countries have formulated strategies in this regard. Sources also told that the telephone talk between the prime ministers of two South Asian arch rivals has paved the way for their bilateral meeting which could help lower the tension. Modi had called up Nawaz and extended best wishes on the occasion of Ramzan while noting that there was a need for having “peaceful” and “friendly” bilateral ties between the two countries. China, Pakistan, India, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and other countries will participate in the conference. Analysts termed the meeting of Indo-Pak prime ministers an important milestone in breaking ice between the two neighboring countries.

Afghan forces attack Pakistan checkpost, six soldiers hurt

PESHAWAR: As tension escalated between Kabul and Islamabad, Afghan army attacked Pakistani security checkpost on Wednesday. Six security personnel were injured in firing and shelling from Afghan security forces in South Waziristan tribal agency, official sources said. Afghan security forces early on Wednesday morning fired mortal shells at a security checkpost in the Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan. Tensions have been rising along the border of Khyber Agency and South Waziristan tribal region over the last few days, say official security sources. Reports of rising tensions come as the Taliban step up attacks in Afghanistan as a part of their annual offensive. Afghan officials blamed an Inter-Services Intelligence officer for alleged involvement in a Taliban attack targeting the Afghan parliament building on June 22. The latest attack on security personnel occurs as operations Zarb-i-Azb and Khyber II - targeting militancy in the sensitive tribal region of Waziristan - have reached their final phases.

Pakistan, India exchange lists of prisoners

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners in accordance to an Agreement on Consular Access signed between the two countries in May 2008, the Foreign Ministry said. Both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, respectively. Consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over a list of 403 Indian prisoners (48 civil + 355 fishermen) in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad. A similar list of 278 Pakistani prisoners (251 civil + 27 fishermen) lodged in Indian jails was also handed over to the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Pakistan and India also exchange a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement that bars them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.

Pakistan grieved over aircraft crash incident in Indonesia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in tragic incident of military aircraft crash in Indonesia. An Indonesian military aircraft C-130 carrying armed forces personnel and their families crashed yesterday in the city of Medan, resulting in loss of over a hundred lives. The Foreign Office Spokesman in a statement on Wednesday said we expressed our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Government, the people of Indonesia and to the families of the deceased.  He prayed that May Allah Almighty rest the departed souls in eternal peace. An Indonesian air force transport plane carrying military personnel and their families plowed into a residential neighborhood in the country’s third-largest city of Medan shortly after takeoff on Tuesday, killing dozens. An Indonesian air force spokesman has said the death toll in the crash has risen to 141

June 30, 2015

Political, military leadership decide to present before UN solid evidence against Indian interference in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD : Political and military leadership of the country while agreeing to raise  the issue of Indian interference at international level has decided to present  solid evidence in UN on this count. Army chief General Raheel Sharif called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here in PM house Tuesday. The both exchanged views on security situation of the country and ongoing military operation Zarb-e-azb against militants. Army chief gave briefing to PM on law and order situation in Karachi and ongoing military operation Zarb-e-azb. The both expressed satisfaction over peace and security situation. Decision was taken in the meeting to launch final round of ongoing military operation Zarb-e-azb. BBC report on funding MQM by Indian spy agency RAW also came under the discussion. The future strategy in this respect was also discussed. Army chief took PM into confidence during the meeting that country’s security agencies have credible evidence on Indian interference in Pakistan and due to which Indian face will be exposed before the world. A statement issued following the meeting said “security situation in the country and professional matters came under discussion. However, sources said the two high-ups also exchanged views over Indian interference in Pakistan ’s affairs, as the government is contemplating to raise the issue in United Nations Security Council. In this regard, sources said, the government is holding consultation with Pakistan ’s ambassadors in different countries, including Pakistan ’s permanent representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi. The decision to take world powers into confidence comes following emergence of proofs of Indian meddling in Pakistan and Indian PM Narendra Modi’s confession, sources said. Modi, during a recent visit to Dhaka , acknowledged that Indian forces had a role in the war that created Bangladesh in 1971.

Early to tell if Iran deal sealed: Kerry (US says there’s a way to give UN access to Iran sites)

VIENNA : US Secretary of State John Kerry warned on Monday it was too soon to tell if a nuclear deal with Iran is possible as he awaited the return of Iran ’s foreign minister from consultations in Tehran . “We’re just working and it’s too early to make any judgements,” Kerry told reporters in Vienna following a weekend of intense talks with counterparts from five other major powers and Iran . In a possible sign meanwhile of progress, Russian Foreign Minister Serg1ei Lavrov said that he would arrive on Tuesday, coinciding with the expected return of his Iranian opposite number Mohammad Javad Zarif. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, speaking in New York , said he would be back in Vienna this week. It was unclear when his British, German or Chinese counterparts might follow suit. Over the weekend officials from both sides made clear that their Tuesday deadline to nail down a deal was highly unlikely to be met, although they said they would only extend by several days. Zarif flew back home on Sunday night, as did many of the other ministers. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini spoke for many late on Sunday when she insisted there would be no formal months-long extension, saying “postponement is not an option”. “I would say that the political will is there. I’ve seen it from all sides,” Mogherini said, adding “we have conditions now to close the deal”. In April Iran and the P5+1 group — the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany — agreed on the main outlines of a deal that they hope will end a 13-year standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Under the framework, Iran will dramatically scale down its atomic activities in order to make any drive to make a weapon — an ambition it denies having — all but impossible. This includes slashing the number of centrifuges enriching uranium, which can be used for nuclear fuel but also in a bomb, reducing its uranium stockpile and altering the Arak reactor. In return, the powers have said they will progressively ease sanctions that have suffocated Iran ’s economy, but while retaining the option to reimpose them if Iran violates the agreement. But turning the 505-word joint statement agreed in April in Lausanne , Switzerland into a fully-fledged, highly technical document of several dozen pages has proved hard work. “It sounds easy. but it’s difficult,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Sunday. Key sticking points are thought to include the pace and timing of sanctions relief, the mechanism for their “snapback” and Iran ’s future development of newer, faster centrifuges. Another thorny topic is role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) watchdog, whose chief Yukiya Amano met Kerry on Monday and who has been spotted several times entering the luxury Viennese hotel where the talks are being held. The UN watchdog already keeps close tabs on Iran’s nuclear activities, with between four and 10 inspectors in Iran on any given day, accounting for every ounce of nuclear material and keeping facilities under constant surveillance. Under the mooted deal, it will be up to the IAEA to verify that Iran really does reduce its capacities, and also to make sure it does not cheat in the future. Meanwhile, Global powers negotiating with Iran have put forward proposals to give the UN atomic watchdog access to all suspect Iranian sites as part of the outlines of a deal, a senior US official said on Monday. “We have worked out a process that we believe will ensure that the IAEA has the access it needs,” the administration official told reporters. “The entry point isn’t we must be able to get into every military site, because the United States of America wouldn’t allow anybody to get into every military site, so that’s not appropriate,” the official said.

CPEC west route to be completed in first phase, says minister

ISLAMABAD : Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday directed the officials to complete two west routes of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan. While talking to the media after inspecting M-8 and N-85, Ahsan Iqbal stated that the west routes of Balochistan would bring prosperity to the country and will eliminate unemployment in the region, therefore, the authorities should focus early completion of these routes. Ahsan Iqbal said that road networks would be completed by December 2015 under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. He said that Balochistan stands on first number when it comes to government’s priorities. The Minister said the government has already declared special force comprising 10,000 personnel for security of Chinese workers engaged in executing CPEC projects. He said the development of road infrastructure in Balochistan will usher in a new era of prosperity the province. Moreover, PML-N leader lauded the efficiency of laborers, engineers and technician.

IFC to help import equipment for wind power plant

ISLAMABAD : International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Deutsche Bank and Bank AL-Habib Limited Pakistan on Monday announced a new trade financing deal to allow the import of equipment for a new wind power plant. IFC issued a guarantee to Deutsche Bank on behalf of Bank AL-Habib, to back the letter of credit issued by Bank Al-Habib for the deal. The guarantee will allow Yunus Energy to import a wind power turbine from Nordex Germany , helping to increase the supply of clean energy generated through wind farms. Pakistan has been facing a severe power deficit in recent years with daily blackouts hindering industrial growth and adversely affecting the quality of life for millions. Abbas D Habib, chief executive and managing director of Bank AL-Habib, said: “We have a long standing partnership with IFC. The guarantee provided by IFC demonstrates a high degree of confidence in the bank, and the growing potential of Pakistan ’s financial and renewable energy sectors.” The deals comes under the umbrella of IFC’s $5 billion Global Trade Finance Programme, which extends and complements the capacity of banks to deliver trade financing by providing risk mitigation in new or challenging markets. In fiscal year 2015, IFC issued guarantees of more than $1 billion to secure trade transactions by partner banks across the Middle East and North Africa region. “This transaction further underlines our commitment to assisting local financial institutions support Pakistan ’s infrastructure development. Deutsche Bank is committed to supporting the strategically important renewable energy industry in addition to leveraging our global reach, servicing and processing skills in trade finance to be the bank of choice for financial institutions in Pakistan for cross-border trade,” said Ahmer Hasan, chief country officer for Deutsche Bank Pakistan. The deal is also part of the World Bank Group strategy to mitigate the effets of climate change and to focus on renewable sources of energy. Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC regional director for the Middle East and North Africa , said: “Supporting renewable energy and cross-border trade are strategic priorities for IFC in Pakistan and emerging markets, as they have a great impact on spurring economic growth and development.” Pakistan represents IFC’s second-largest exposure in the MENA region, with over $5.6 billion in cumulative investments committed to date. IFC’s current investment exposure in Pakistan is about $1.1 billion in over 45 companies in sectors including infrastructure, financial markets and general manufacturing and services.

Indian rebel leader held for deadly ambush

NEW DELHI : India on Monday arrested a rebel leader accused of involvement in the killing of 20 soldiers in the remote northeastern state of Manipur earlier this month, an official statement said. India ’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) captured Khumlo Abi Anal of the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) more than three weeks after heavily armed rebels ambushed a military convoy, killing 20 soldiers. “Investigation has revealed that the accused was extensively involved in the conspiracy to attack the army personnel,” the agency said in a statement late Monday, adding it was their first arrest in the case. A week after the June 4 incident — one of the deadliest attacks in the restive region — New Delhi said its forces had hunted down a rebel group operating in the mountainous forests of Manipur, close to Myanmar’s long western border. Local Indian press had cited sources as saying soldiers had crossed into Myanmar and killed some 15 militants who escaped across the border, after coordination between the two countries. But Myanmar later denied the reports, saying it would not tolerate rebels using its soil to attack neighbours. The remote Hindu-majority state of Manipur is home to dozens of tribal groups and small guerrilla armies fighting New Delhi’s rule with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy. At least 50,000 people have lost their lives in insurgency-driven violence in six of India’s seven northeastern states since the country’s independence from Britain in 1947, authorities say. The seven states are home to dozens of guerilla and tribal groups, which often compete against each other.

Steps under way to oust me from MQM: Altaf

LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, on Monday said that hectic efforts were being made for a ‘Minus Altaf’ MQM and warned that there would be a war in every nook and corner of Karachi if any attempt was made for his removal as the party’s head. Altaf Hussain asked his supporters and activists to get themselves ready for a sit-in that would be on a long-term basis and could be extended to six months or a year. Addressing party workers and the Rabita Committee members from London on phone on Monday, he strongly refuted all allegations that the MQM had any connections with the Indian spy agency RAW or that the party had received Indian funding as reported by the BBC. Altaf Hussain swore by God and the holy Quran that neither he nor his party had any link with RAW.If Imran Khan can organise a sit-in for three months, the MQM would stage a sit-in for six months or more, he said. The loyalists present supported the idea and said that they were ready for the sit-in. Altaf said, “RAW is anti-Pakistan, and an enemy of Pakistan is the enemy of the MQM. My party supports the armed forces and if RAW attacks Pakistan, all my supporters will be with the armed forces of Pakistan voluntarily and fight along with them against India.” “Those who are the enemies of Pakistan are the enemies of the MQM,” he stressed.“Plans are afoot to disintegrate the MQM and a conspiracy is underway for a Minus-Altaf MQM. In that case, there would be blood on every street of the city,” he warned. Elaborating his point, he said that he did not warn or threaten anyone but if he was removed, the people gathered here would stand divided. As these people were united under his leadership and the Minus-Altaf formula would divide them into factions, there would be a war in every nook and corner of the city and nobody could control that situation. Certain forces wanted to eliminate the MQM but their plans would disturb the peace of the city, he said and added that there would be bloodshed in every street, something that could not be controlled. He categorically swore, “I, Altaf Hussain, have no link with RAW and the statement of Tariq Mir is a media trial and a conspiracy is being hatched against the MQM. I strongly condemn on oath that the MQM has no connection with RAW. RAW is Pakistan’s enemy and the MQM is the RAW’s enemy.” For the past many days, he said, the MQM was being targeted and was being alleged of every wrongdoing. Pemra had enforced a ban on his speeches and MQM activists were being portrayed as traitors having links with intelligence agencies like RAW, Mossad and CIA but he must clearly say that they were true Pakistanis.

Amir Khan released from jail after court orders

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday issued orders for release of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Amir Khan on bail after his bail plea was accepted on Monday. The objections on security bonds for his bail were cleared as the court issued orders for his release. The court granted bail to Khan against security bonds of Rs.1 million. The court later issued its orders that Aamir Khan can’t leave the country till completion of the enquiry.In its remarks, the court said that the bail application of the accused is being accepted over flawed investigation of the case. Opposing the bail application, Rangers counsel Rana Khalid contended that a new Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was being formed for fresh investigation, admitting that the inquiry was incomplete. Arguing before the judge, Khan’s counsel Shaukat Hayat said that neither any solid proof against his client could emerge nor had any of the wanted suspects confirmed the allegations. An FIR was registered against Khan for allegedly providing shelter to 26 wanted suspects arrested by Rangers during raid on and around MQM headquarters, Nine Zero, in Azizabad on March 11. Aamir Khan was also among those detained in the raid in a case pertaining to instigating terrorism and harbouring criminals.

China’s Great Wall is disappearing

BEIJING: Around 30 percent of China’s Ming-era Great Wall has disappeared over time as adverse natural conditions and reckless human activities — including stealing the bricks to build houses — erode the Unesco World Heritage site, state media reported. The Great Wall is not a single unbroken structure but stretches for thousands of kilometres in sections, from Shanhaiguan on the east coast to Jiayuguan in the windswept sands on the edge of the Gobi desert. In places it is so dilapidated that estimates of its total length vary from 9,000 to 21,000 kilometres, depending on whether missing sections are included. Despite its length it is not, as is sometimes claimed, visible from space. Construction first begun in the third century BC, but nearly 6,300 kilometres were built in the Ming Dynasty of 1368-1644, including the much-visited sectors north of the capital Beijing. Of that, 1,962 kilometres has melted away over the centuries, the Beijing Times reported. Some of the construction weathered away, while plants growing in the walls have accelerated the decay, said the report on Sunday, citing a survey last year by the Great Wall of China Society. “Even though some of the walls are built of bricks and stones, they cannot withstand the perennial exposure to wind and rain,” the paper quoted Dong Yaohui, a vice president of the society, as saying. “Many towers are becoming increasingly shaky and may collapse in a single rain storm in summer.” Tourism and local residents’ activities are also damaging the longest human construction in the world, the paper added. Poor villagers in Lulong county in the northern province of Hebei used to knock thick grey bricks from a section of wall in their village to build homes, and slabs engraved with Chinese characters were sold for 30 yuan each by local residents, it said. Under Chinese regulations people who take bricks from the Great Wall can be fined up to 5,000 yuan, the state-run Global Times said on Monday. “But there is no specific organisation to enforce the rules. Damage could only be reported to higher authorities and it is hard to solve when it happened on the border of two provinces,” said Jia Hailin, a cultural relics protection official in Hebei, according to the report. It added that explorations of undeveloped parts of the Great Wall — an increasingly popular leisure activity in recent years — had brought those sections more tourists than they could bear, damaging them severely.

June 29, 2015

Taliban ambush in Herat province kills 11 soldiers

KABUL : Taliban militants in Afghanistan have killed at least 11 Afghan soldiers in an ambush in western Herat province, police say on Monday. The convoy of pick-up trucks was attacked in Karukh district of Herat, officials say. Weapons were stolen by the Taliban from the scene of the attack, the Tolo news agency reported. It said that at least six soldiers had been injured. The ambush follows fighting last week in the northern province of Kunduz. The Taliban have increased attacks on the security forces since launching their annual spring offensive in late April, correspondents say. It is feared that the violence this year could be worse than previous years, especially because the security forces are stretched on several fronts and facing record casualties. Nato’s combat mission in Afghanistan formally ended in December after 13 years, although a small contingent of foreign forces has remained in the country to provide training and support to local security forces. The Herat provincial governor’s spokesman told media that an officer was among the 11 soldiers killed in the latest fighting.

Funds by RAW were routed to MQM through Anwar: Indian media

NEW DELHI : After BBC assertion’s, Indian newspaper The Indian Express has claimed of receiving documents which were provided to Scotland Yard by Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) leaders. Further details of London-based MQM activist Tariq Mir’s statement has been surfaced in which he has said that the Indian funds were routed through Muhammad Anwar — the second most influential figure in the MQM’s all-powerful London secretariat — to its chief, Altaf Hussain. “I do not know how much they gave us,” police recorded Mir as saying. “It went to Hussain. At some stage, our expenses (for the secretariat) were about £ 100K. I was aware of a significant increase in the funding as a result of the Indian connection.” The newspaper alleges that one of the Pakistani official has claimed that individuals linked to the party received multiple remittances through Dubai’s RAK Bank from one Jasmine Valley General Trading through 2011, 2012 and 2013, totaling just under $ 1.5 million. The fact that Jasmine Valley has Indian nationals as owners, the source alleged, meant that it could be a RAW front. However, the public record shows that Jasmine Valley, far from being an entity fronting for Indian intelligence, is itself being prosecuted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. The DRI, in 2001, filed charges against multiple entities linked to Jasmine Valley, saying the firm was used to under-invoice imports from Italy, China and Spain to avoid Customs duties. “It seems to be one of many similar shell companies in Dubai that engage in dubious financial practices,” an Indian government source familiar with the case said. “There are lots of firms in the Emirate that will move money around for you for a fee.” According to the report published by The Indian Express, several phone calls were made to numbers listed in Dubai business directories for Jasmine Valley, but they were all either switched off, or did not respond. No email address is listed for Jasmine Valley in any of six business directories this newspaper searched; only a post box address is available. When contacted by The Indian Express, Anwar did not respond to requests for a comment. However, in an exclusive interview to this newspaper last week, he had said that the allegations were “utterly dishonest”.

Suicide bomber among four killed in Lahore

LAHORE: Security forces killed three suspected terrorists during a search operation in the Feeroz Wala Khan while a suicide bomber blew himself up. The security forces also arrested two terrorists, who were injured during exchange of firing with the security forces late on Sunday night. On a tip-off, law enforcement agencies including the police besieged a hideout in the area which led to firing between the security forces and the suspected terrorists. While the operation was under way, a suicide bomber blew him up in the hideout while three terrorists were killed during the exchange of fire. The security forces cleared the area after an operation of more than two hours, a police official said. He said that the terrorists had been living at a house at new residential colony. The security forces seized six suicide jackets, 25 Kalashnikovs, over 300 rounds and one rocket launcher from their hideout.

Pakistani Professor wins UNESCO Avicenna Prize for Ethics in Science

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Professor of Biotechnology and bioethicist, Mr Zabta Khan Shinwari has won the 2015 UNESCO Avicenna Prize of Ethics in Science. The Prize, which includes a Diploma, a UNESCO Avicenna Gold Medal and a cheque of US$10,000, will be awarded at an official ceremony that will be organized this year at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 30 September. On this occasion, Professor Shinwari, as the recipient of the Prize, will deliver a keynote Avicenna lecture, which will take place at 5 p.m. (Room II) during a joint public meeting of two UNESCO’s advisory scientific bodies - the World Commission on Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) and the International Bioethics Committee (IBC), both of which will be meeting in Paris for their annual sessions at the same time. Professor Zabta Khan Shinwari was designated the laureate of the Prize by the Director-General of UNESCO Ms Irina Bokova upon the recommendation of an independent International Jury of scholars and ethicists, including Ms Marie-Helene Parizeau (Canada), Jury’s chairperson and vice chairperson of COMEST, Mr Luka Omladi? (Slovenia), Rapporteur of COMEST, and Ms Hebe Vessuri (Venezuela), also member of COMEST. The Jury stressed that Professor Shinwari could be a role model in the area of ethics of science because he combines an outstanding personal commitment to ethically responsible research and responsible science with high academic standards of scientific research, education and management. Today, Professor Zabta Khan Shinwari is fellow and current Secretary-General of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, as well as Chair of the Biotechnology Department of the Quaid-i-Azam University of Islamabad. He has a PhD in Plant Sciences from the Kyoto University which he obtained in 1994 and several post doctoral degrees in Agricultural Biotechnology from several prestigious Japanese Institutions. The Jury of the Prize underlined that his international scientific career exemplifies how scientific development has advanced in recent times. Mr Zabta Khan Shinwari has been able to leverage his scientific and academic work in the East to make an important impact in his country while building strong and significant collaborations with the West. Over three decades of his academic career, Professor Shinwari has worked for the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, the National Agricultural Research Centre, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Pakistan, and several research organizations. From 2004 to 2006, he was Vice-Chancellor and President of the Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST) and succeeded in establishing University of Science & Technology, Bannu. He is also founder of KUST Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). Professor Shinwari also worked as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the private research institution Qarshi Research International and was Vice Chancellor and founder of Qarshi University- Lahore. Professor Shinwari has steadfastly promoted the participation of indigenous peoples and women in the construction of science and in the sharing of its benefits and has worked to empower local communities to use their natural resources and biodiversity in a sustainable manner to achieve an environmentally sound economic development. The Jury also underlined that Professor Shinwari has addressed sensitive ethical issues in a complex context of globalization. He has made an exceptional contribution to the ethics of science through his deep engagement in research ethics education at the national and regional levels. Furthermore, the Prize recognizes his work with a view to build capacities and to raise awareness of scientists, policy-makers, practitioners and the general public on issues of bioethics, biosafety, biosecurity and on dual-use concerns in biotechnology in order to address effectively security risks, alleviate the chances of potential abuse of biotechnology and promote a safe and secure scientific culture. Established in 2003 by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 166th session on the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the UNESCO Avicenna Prize for Ethics in Science, awarded every two years, is intended to reward the activities of individuals and groups in the field of ethics in science. By thus promoting ethical reflection on issues raised by advances in science and technology, it is expected to help significantly to increase international awareness and highlight the importance of ethics in science. The Prize owes its name to the renowned 11th-century physician and philosopher of Persian origin known in Europe as Avicenna (980-1038). A healer and a humanist, Avicenna developed an exemplary holistic approach that captures the essence of ethics in science and has thus come to serve as a source of inspiration for the promotion of this concern, which is of central importance to UNESCO.

Pakistan, Canada, WHO to collect information for disabilities

ISLAMABAD: According to World Health Organization (WHO), over a billion people or around 15% of the world’s population have some sort of disability, whereas the prevalence of disability in Pakistan is estimated by the Population Census 1998 at 2.49%. Effective policy-making requires reliable, valid and detailed data on all aspects of disability – impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, related health conditions, environmental factors—information that is lacking in Pakistan as in most of the developing countries. There is no standardized instrument for data collection on disability that provides comprehensive and systematic documentation of all aspects of functioning in a population. Pakistan has ratified the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in July 2011 which requires Governments to collect statistical and research data to identify and address barriers faced by people with disability  under the Convention (CRPD, Article 31). With support from the Canadian High Commission and collaboration from Pakistan-Bait-Ul Mal, Government of Pakistan, the WHO, as lead agency in Disabilities in the UN system, is conducting the Model Disability Survey (MDS). On the occasion of the launching of the joint WHO-Canada Model Disability Survey project Her Excellency, the Canadian High Commissioner, Ms. Heather Cruden said: “we are very pleased to be collaborating with the World Health Organisation in Pakistan to clarify needs, resources and policies to support the people of Pakistan. This Model Disability Survey is a first step in this process of identifying an important community of valiant citizens of Pakistan who suffer from disabilities”. The Model Disability Survey (MDS) will be a pilot study to provide detailed and nuanced information on the lives of people with disability in the Attock district. The initiative is being funded by the High Commission of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). A two day training on the questionnaire for data collection,  which  has been developed by  WHO and the World Bank in collaboration with the Washington Group on Disability Statistics, Statistics Norway, and a diverse range of other stakeholders, including the International Disability Alliance, was organized at the WHO office Islamabad, February 5-6, 2015. Disability experts from WHO Headquarters, Geneva and Country office conducted the training session. Model Disability Survey will facilitate the monitoring of the situation of people with disability, to make sure they are not left behind in the wake of development progress, and to identify ways to include disability in national/provincial Post-2015 Development Agenda.

June 28, 2015

Air strikes kill 24 militants in Pakistan 's tribal areas

RAWALPINDI : At least 14 militants were killed on Sunday in an air assault in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency, according to an ISPR statement. The deeply forested areas near the border are a key smuggling route between Pakistan and Afghanistan , and are dotted with Taliban bases, used as launch pads for attacks on Pakistani forces. Meanwhile, At least 10 terrorists were killed in airstrikes in Shawal Gurez area of North Waziristan , said the ISPR. According to ISPR, six militants were also injured in the air assault. Several hideouts of terrorists were also destroyed. Militant attacks in the country have dropped to six years low after one year of operation Zarb-e-Azb. The offense against terrorists was launched in same month last year. Meanwhile, US military air strikes have targeted militants who were threatening international coalition forces near the border in eastern Afghanistan , a US forces spokesman said on Sunday. Most foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan when NATO combat operations ended last year. Around 13,200 international troops are part of a new training mission, while a small contingent of US troops is separately fighting the Taliban and other militants. The first air strike took place on Friday in Nuristan , an eastern province next to Pakistan that is partially controlled by the Taliban. Another strike followed in Paktika on Saturday, a stronghold of the Haqqani network and other groups allied with the Taliban. A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan declined to say which troops were involved and the nature of the threat. “I’ll generally say coalition forces for both,” Colonel Brian Tribus said. Six militants were killed in the first air strike, according to an interior ministry report, which also indicated an Al Qaeda operative had been killed in the second. Most US forces withdrew from Afghanistan last year, leaving a small contingent of 9,800 troops to help train Afghan forces and conduct operations against the Taliban and other militants. This includes around 3,000 US troops that operate outside the new, two-year NATO training mission. The activities of US special forces engaged in counter-terrorism operations have not been made public and little is known of their activities.

US, Iran say ´hard work´ ahead to seal nuclear deal

VIENNA : US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran´s foreign minister both warned Saturday of "hard work" ahead as they sought to seal a historic deal after almost two years of intense diplomatic effort. "We´ve a lot of hard work to do. There are some very tough issues, and I think we all look forward to getting down to the final efforts here to see whether or not a deal is possible," Kerry said at the start of talks with Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna. "I think everybody would like to see an agreement. But we have to work through some difficult issues," Kerry added before reporters left the room, saying he was "hopeful". Zarif said negotiators "need to work really hard in order to be able to make progress and move forward. "We are determined to do everything we can to be able to make this effort possible. Of course, that depends on a lot of things and we´re going to work on it," Zarif added. Days before a June 30 deadline that officials admit may slip a few days, diplomats say the mooted accord finalising a framework accord agreed in April in Lausanne , Switzerland by Iran and six major powers is far from done. "Some major problems exist which are still blocking the work... but in other areas we have made good progress," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday. This was echoed by a Western diplomat, who said that several key issues remain "extremely problematic". "The most difficult issues need to be resolved in the coming days: transparency, inspections, PMD (possible military dimensions of Iran´s nuclear programme), sanctions... On the major issues there is major disagreement," the diplomat said. A deal, it is hoped, would put an end to a standoff dating back to 2002 that has threatened to escalate into war and has poisoned the Islamic republic´s relations with the outside world. In return for downsizing its activities and allowing closer UN inspections, Iran, which denies wanting nuclear weapons, would see the progressive lifting of UN and Western sanctions that have choked its economy. Even if negotiators manage a deal, it will be closely scrutinised by hardliners in Iran and the United States, as well as Iran´s regional rivals Israel, widely assumed to have nuclear weapons itself, and Saudi Arabia.

Karachi heat wave claims 20 more lives

KARACHI: Although the searing heat of last week has passed, high temperatures claimed another 20 lives in the city Sunday. According to Sindh health department statistics, since June 20, a total of 1,206 have died in Karachi alone due to the heat wave. Commenting on the situation, Provincial Minister for Health Jam Mahtab claimed some deaths could be prevented if loadshedding comes to an end. He added that 35 per cent of those who had died were women. Representatives of the Edhi Foundation had earlier said they were continuously receiving bodies, though numbers had considerably decreased on Saturday. Around 160 unclaimed bodies were buried by the Edhi Foundation the same day. Doctors at Civil Hospital Karachi said a majority of the dead appeared to hail from lower economic groups, including many of the homeless and drug addicts.

Pakistan's Textile industry to close down voluntarily

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Chairman S. M. Tanveer has said that a meeting of the general body of Association has decided to close down the textile industry of Pakistan voluntarily. “An emergent general body meeting has deliberated on the adverse circumstances and found it unfeasible to incur losses by operating mills partially,” he added. He said the member mills had decided on their own to put their operations off voluntarily because of the viability issue. “We do not want confrontation with the government; therefore, we are closing down mills voluntarily,” he said. The cost of doing business in textile industry has hit through the roof. Meanwhile, the burden of incidental taxes, provincial cess, system inefficiencies and punitive withholding tax regime has added fuel to the fire. “Thus, the business of textile industry has become unviable in Pakistan,” he said. He said the government had not brought the unorganised sectors into tax net and billing the textile industry. All these punitive measures had hit the sustainability of textile industry in Pakistan. Furthermore, he said, it was also an irony that the federal government had imposed a surcharge of Rs3.60 per unit to mitigate the positive impact of tariff reduction by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. “The textile industry is unable to bear this burden despite operating on independent feeders with no line losses and theft and 100 percent payment of bills,” he pointed out. He said the regional competitors were paying less than 10 cent against 14.50 cent electricity tariff in Pakistan. Majority of the mills are already operating partially because of energy mismatch at present, he said, adding that the textile millers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Karachi had decided to close down operations voluntarily and lay off millions of workers, as they had nothing to offer to their international buyers against the regional competitors.

43 officials in Indian diplomatic missions to face action

NEW DELHI: Government is taking action with regard to complaints against 43 officials of Indian diplomatic missions in 17 countries facing a variety of charges including corruption and dereliction of duty, top external affairs ministry sources said on Sunday. “Action is being taken in all 43 cases as per established procedure,” spokesman of the ministry of external affairs Vikas Swarup said. Some of the complaints are against low-ranking officials and locally-hired staff and the cases are being dealt with as per laid down procedures, he said. “The ministry takes seriously any complaint that it receives about the performance of its missions and posts abroad. Complaints are dealt with as per established and prescribed procedures,” Swarup told PTI from Bangkok where he is accompanying external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. The recall of India’s high commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar following accusations of his wife assaulting a domestic helper has brought the focus back on the conduct of the country’s diplomats posted abroad. As per official figures, six complaints against officials in Indian missions were received in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 27 in 2014. A maximum of eight complaints each have been received from the missions in UK and Madagascar in the last three years. Complaints have also been received against Indian embassy staff in Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Kenya and some other countries.

Indian police arrest six smugglers over $15mn snake venom haul

NEW DELHI: Six members of a suspected international smuggling racket were arrested with an estimated US$15 million of snake venom hidden in school bags close to Bhutan border in eastern India, officials said Sunday. The gang were riding two motorbikes and carrying school bags containing three bullet-proof glass containers of the venom when they were arrested by police Saturday in Baikunthpur forest area of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. "This haul is worth at least 100 crore (US$15 million) on (the) international market. There are three different containers with venom in coco-cola liquid form, white crystals and yellow granule form," P. R. Pradhan, divisional forest officer, Baikunthpur forest division told. The glass containers are stamped with "Made in France", Pradhan said, adding that the arrested men said the consignment may have arrived from France before they picked it up from Bangladesh for delivery in Bhutan. The venom is believed to be from a cobra but chemical tests are being conducted to identify the snake species, he said. Jalpaiguri´s police chief Akash Meghariya said the smugglers are being questioned about their links to an international syndicate. "They are part of the international racket. The case is being investigated," Meghariya told, adding that they have been arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act with bans the extraction of venom from protected snake species, including cobras. Under Indian law the "milking" of many other snake species is allowe. Wildlife experts say illegal trade of snake venom and skin is widespread with frequent recoveries reported across the country. Extracted venom is mostly used as an antidote for snake bites, which according to World Health Organization kill an estimated half a million people globally every year. Snake venom is also used in some cosmetics.

Two prisoners dig tunnel to escape India´s top jail

NEW DELHI: Two prisoners escaped from India´s most secure jail in New Delhi by digging a tunnel under a wall and scaling another in a daring dash for freedom, an official and media reports said Monday. The pair escaped on the weekend from Tihar jail, Asia´s largest, in what appeared to be a carefully prepared prison break that authorities are still piecing together. One of the two, identified only as Faizan and Javed, who had been awaiting trial on burglary charges, was recaptured on Sunday and was being questioned. "They escaped sometime on Saturday or Sunday. We will find out how they managed to escape. It is too early to say how and when they staged the jail break," Tihar deputy inspector general Mukesh Prasad said. Prison guards raised the alarm on Sunday when they failed to show up for roll call. The pair had scaled a wall from one compound into another before digging under the perimeter wall and crawling through a drain, the Times of India and other local media said. Authorities ordered an investigation on Monday into how they managed to slip past scores of armed guards and electronic surveillance. The jail houses top militants, mafia, other gangsters and hardened criminals. But the prison is hugely overcrowded with more than 13,500 inmates at the end of 2013 despite a maximum capacity of just 6,250. Earlier this month, India´s National Human Rights Commission asked Tihar authorities to explain media reports that 18 inmates had been murdered in just in one month by powerful gangs running the place.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to level series

COLOMBO: Dimuth Karunaratne hit 50 off 56 balls as Sri Lanka trounced Pakistan by seven wickets in the second Test in Colombo on Monday to square the three-match series 1-1. Chasing 153 to win, the hosts made light of a delayed start of 30 minutes due to a wet outfield and raced to victory in 26.3 overs before lunch on the fifth and final day at the P. Sara Oval. Karunaratne and skipper Angelo Mathews added a brisk 72 for the third wicket after two wickets had fallen with the score on 49 to raise Pakistan´s hopes. Mathews remained unbeaten on 43, sharing a fourth-wicket partnership of 32 with Lahiru Thirimanne, who hit the winning boundary off leg-spinner Yasir Shah. The win ended Sri Lanka´s three-match losing streak at the P. Sara Oval and set up a potentially thrilling finale when the third Test opens at the Pallekele stadium near the popular hill resort of Kandy on Friday. Kithuruwan Vithanage, promoted to open the batting in place of Kaushal Silva, smashed four boundaries and two sixes in an aggressive 34 off 23 balls. The left-hander contributed a major share of the 49-run opening stand with Karunaratne, when Pakistan hit back with two wickets off successive balls. Vithanage holed out in the deep off the last ball of left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar´s second over after striking two sixes earlier in the over. Veteran Kumar Sangakkara, playing his last Test match against Pakistan, fell to the first delivery he faced, caught at short-leg by Azhar Ali off Yasir. Sangakkara, 37, Test cricket´s leading current run-getter, said on Saturday he will appear in only the first two Tests against Pakistan and play two more against India in August before retiring from the international game. The exact dates and venues for the three-Test series against India have not yet been announced. Karunaratne had hit four boundaries when he was leg-before to Yasir with 32 runs still needed for victory, but vice-captain Thirimanne partnered his skipper to a facile win. Pakistan missed the services of their pace spearhead Wahab Riaz who suffered a hairline fracture on the left hand while batting on the first day and has been ruled out for the rest of the series. Yasir finished with two for 55 and Babar took one for 42.

June 27, 2015

IMF Executive Board approves $506 million loan tranche for Pakistan

WASHINGTON : The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on Friday approved the release of about $506 million as part of three-year loan programme supported by an Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The tranche was released after the board completed the seventh review of Pakistan ’s economic performance under the EFF. With the release of the latest tranche, the total amount so far disbursed to Pakistan comes to about $4.05 billion, an IMF statement said. “Progress toward macroeconomic stabilization is encouraging, thanks to strong performance under the programme and despite significant legal, political, and security challenges,” Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, Mitsuhiro Furusawa said in a statement, following the Executive Board discussion on Pakistan here. He said macroeconomic imbalances are being gradually addressed. Building on these gains, continued efforts are needed to make the economic reform more sustainable and boost inclusive growth. “The planned fiscal adjustment in the context of the FY2015/16 budget is appropriate. The authorities’ plans to broaden the tax base, including eliminating tax exemptions and concessions, are welcome, though significant scope remains for increasing tax compliance and enforcement,” he added. Pakistan in September, 2013 secured a loan of about $6.18 billion from the IMF under the EFF. The authorities are implementing plans to reduce costly and inefficient electricity subsidies, and steps are being taken to contain arrears in the electricity sector, while boosting support for the most vulnerable, the statement said quoting the IMF director. “Legal challenges might still pose risks to the authorities’ efforts, and their commitment to contingency measures is encouraging,” the statement said adding that building on recent success in diversifying budgetary financing and reducing the reliance on central bank financing, continued strengthening of public debt management remains a priority. “Foreign exchange reserves have continued to increase and monetary policy has remained appropriate under current macroeconomic conditions.” Following the planned amendments to the central bank law that will already address some important shortcomings to central bank independence, further efforts will be needed to bolster the SBP’s governance structure and autonomy, the statement said. Building on the recently started implementation of the improved interest rate corridor, efforts to strengthen central bank operations should continue, including through strengthened risk management and internal operations. “The financial sector remains stable and progress in bank capitalization is welcome. A number of legislative reforms to strengthen financial stability and inclusion are underway. Efforts to combat financing terrorism, anti-money laundering, and tax offenses should continue”. “Structural reforms are progressing, although more needs to be done, and the risk of legal challenges remains. While regulatory reform continues, the power sector remains a key bottleneck for growth and a drain on public finances,” the IMF said. “The authorities’ adoption of a comprehensive medium-term plan to deal with the accumulation of arrears in the electricity sector is welcome in this respect. Continued efforts are needed in the areas of privatization of public sector enterprises, trade policy, and business climate reforms”, statement said.

32 more deaths in Karachi take Sindh heatwave toll to 1,242

KARACHI : The devastating heatwave that struck Sindh last weekend is slowly subsiding but the toll has climbed to 1,242 with 32 deaths reported in Karachi on Saturday. Various government-run hospitals in Karachi confirmed that at least 32 people died of heatstroke on Saturday. At least 13 people died in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), 11 in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), two in Qatar Hospital , three in hospitals owned by Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and three in other hospitals in the city. The crisis centred in Karachi was worsened by poor service delivery, including a faulty power grid and shortage of potable water. After peaking at around 45 degrees Celsius last weekend, the heat has subsided and the city’s customary cooling sea breeze has started up, bringing relief to its 20 million inhabitants. At times this week the city’s morgues struggled to cope with the influx of the dead, many of whom were elderly, destitute or drug addicts. Yesterday, Edhi Foundation’s representative Faisal Edhi said his morgue had received close to 200 unclaimed bodies since Saturday and 140 of them were buried at Edhi’s graveyard in Muwachh Goth after no one came to claim them. Karachi ’s hospitals have treated nearly 80,000 people for the effects of heatstroke and dehydration during the week, according to medical officials. Many of those who died were outdoor manual labourers, who are paid by the day and may be reluctant to stop work as it would mean losing income.

Floods kill 55 in western India as relief work continues

AHMEDABAD: Relief workers were Saturday trying to reach residents stranded by floods in India ’s western Gujarat state triggered by torrential rains that have so far claimed 55 lives, officials said. Officials were providing food and water to the people affected by flash floods in the Saurashtra region, as thousands fled to safer areas following the rains that started Wednesday. The rain has since subsided but left a trail of destruction, with scores of houses damaged as well as roads, railway tracks, bridges and electricity pylons destroyed. An official from the state’s emergency department said two more bodies were recovered Saturday in the coastal district of Amreli. “The death toll has touched 55 since June 24,” the duty officer at the state flood control centre told media. Ministry of Defence spokesman Sitanshu Kar said on his twitter account that the Indian Air Force had “carried out 23 sorties by 6 MI-17 V5 Helicopter and dropped 5.87 tonnes of food packets”. Officials said improved weather is now allowing workers to restore power supply to some 200 villages in Amreli and Junagadh districts which were hardest hit by the flash floods brought on by the annual monsoon rains. Bipin Bhatt, Gujarat’s deputy relief commissioner said there have been no rains in the region since last two days, helping the authorities to reach residents with food, medicines and cash assistance. An official statement on Friday said the floods have damaged a portion of the rail line that connects Pipavav Port to the state capital Ahmedabad near Amreli, and severely affected operations at the port. More than 5,000 animals carcass have also been recovered and disposed off, it said. Forest officials said four endangered Asiatic lions were found dead in Amreli and Bhavnagar districts.

Pakistan calls for putting children at heart of global development agenda

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, has called for children to be “front and centre” of the post-2015 development agenda while opening the annual session of UNICEF’s Executive Board, which reviews the agency’s activities and approves its policies. “No real progress can be made for children unless all children, particularly the most disadvantaged and marginalized, are reached throughout the world,” Ambassador Lodhi, who is the president of the 36-member board, said in her presidential address. “Let us use the influence we have as policymakers and thought leader to position children at the heart of the development agendas of governments and nations”, she said. The Pakistani envoy said that UNICEF’s annual meeting was being held at a time of great opportunity but also great challenge.The opportunity, she said, was presented by the approaching historic milestone that will see the endorsement of the post-2015 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the promise of greater priority being accorded to the well-being of children. “But this is also a time of peril for humanitarian workers in so many parts of the world.That is why I want to start by recognizing and paying tribute to the heroic work of UNICEF staff around the world, especially those who work under difficult, if not life-threatening, conditions”. Ambassador Lodhi said that 2015 was the target year for the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), which had served to improve the lives of many millions of children, and also helped the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged.”And it marks the beginning of the SDGs and post-2015 agenda, which must improve the lives and change the destinies of millions more”, she added. Terming the post-2015 Agenda as a roadmap for future development, Ambassador Lodhi said that while just a few months were left in concretely setting goals and targets, it was not the time to pause and rest.”We must continue to work together for the best interests of children until the very day the Goals and agenda are adopted”, she added. In her presidential address, Ambassador Lodhi also underscored the importance of resources to achieve the desired development objectives. While expressing satisfaction on the progress made on strengthening financing for development, she said that at the national level, goals and agendas would not make much impact without securing financing as an indispensable vehicle.

55 MQM workers got training from RAW for terrorist activities in Karachi (Hamid Gul termed allegations against MQM true)

ISLAMABAD: It was revealed that 55 Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers had gotten training from Indian intelligence agency, RAW, for launching terrorist activities in Karachi. According to reports the workers who had gotten training from RAW include Farooq Dada, Arshad Chatta, Ajmal Pahari and Javid Langara.  It was also disclosed that the Indian intelligence agency had inked hidden alleged accords with MQM leadership to destroy the peace of Karachi city through terrorism. The other workers that included in the list who got training from RAW like Shakir Chotta, Wasim, Rehan, Arshad, Kaleem, Khalid Shamim Vicky, Aithisham, Saeed Ghanja, Junaid, Salman, Waseem, Kamran Ghori, Naveed Noni, Tariq Zadi, Khalid Ghanja, Raheem Imtaiz, Shahzad Bohara, Ali, Bilal, Tahir Rahan, Firoz Fouji, Tahir Tara,  Raiz Locker, Noor Afzal Tension, Muhammad Shafiq Jimmy, Naseem Ghani, Wasi Sttar, Anees Choni, Iqbal Bahi, Rizwan Naveed, Zulfiraq Azhar, Mateen, Shani Dhobi, Shafiq Khalia, Dr. Rasheed, Tariq, Nasir Khaji and Aslam. Pakistan law enforcement agencies departments have received the list. Meanwhile, the former Director General Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) retired Generel Hamid Gul has unveiled some shocking facts regarding Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) legacy in Pakistan. While talking in a TV show, Hamid Gul said it’s not only India that has been funding MQM, America and even England has been backing MQM and its activities in Karachi. Gul went on to say that all the allegations against MQM are based on facts and shall be entertained legally and constitutionally both in Pakistan and UK. Former DG ISI added that it’s the top leadership of MQM that has been involved in such heinous crimes, it has nothing to do with its workers and supporters as they are innocent and being exploit in the hands of leadership, due to their genuine issues and problems that have never been heeded honestly.

NUST, Tus-Holdings ink MoU for establishing NSTP

ISLAMABAD: National University of Science and Technology and Tus-Holdings (the operating company of Tsinghua University Science Park of China) Saturday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing National Science and Technology Park at NUST. The MoU was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tus-Holdings Co Ltd Jiwu Wang and Rector NUST Engineer Muhammad Asghar.  The MoU would enable Tus-Holdings to transfer its experience of consolidated innovation space formation to the creation of NSTP, to suit the demands and realities of innovation in Pakistan.  The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and other senior government officials and staff of the NUST. The notable members of Tus-Holdings included Herbert Chen and Xiang Chen were also present. The agreement with Tus-Holding is the latest in the series of cooperative initiatives that NUST has developed since 2011 with different Chinese universities, research institutes and policy centres. The Global Think Tank Network has already been running an active knowledge partnership with Tsinghua and Peking Universities as part of its China Node, having provided critical intellectual and analytical underpinnings for creating a sustainable and multidimensional cooperation with China, including the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). NSTP would help fulfilling national science and development goals. In this regard the broad space for cooperation provided by various agreements between China and Pakistan for scientific and technical cooperation would be utilized by the parties to the agreement. NSTP partakes the spirit of vision 2025 and is aligned with its cardinal pillars. It also enjoys considerable complementarities with the developmental thrust of the CPEC. NSTP in particular, and STPs in general, should be seen as related initiatives for undertaking correct and comprehensive development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which form an integral part of the CPEC and STPs , SEZs form important components of the technology based growth and development. The partnership between NUST and Tus-Park would pave the way for the incorporation of NSTP as a flagship program for Science and Technology, innovation and higher education components of the CPEC.  The NSTP is NUST’s capstone program for the development of Pakistan’s first university based STP. It would enable the students to exploit their innovative research potential and entrepreneurial spirit to create a dynamic knowledge Ecosystem facilitating high tech R and D. The NSTP concept is in line with the proved models of technology clusters built around eminent universities like Stanford University in the USA, Tsinghua University in China and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).  Speaking on the occasion Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the significance of the MoU in the context of expanding economic cooperation between Pakistan and China. It would help further the objectives of CPEC and Vision 2025. He said the technology park is a by-product of CPEC to pave way for a prosperous Pakistan. The park would help jump starting Pakistani economy. Pakistan is rich in human resource in terms of younger population, the minister said and added that younger generation must be provided better jobs to avoid creating instability in the whole region. Pakistan has great opportunity of progress in the shape of CPEC. Universities must become engine of progress.  Rector NUST Eng Muhammad Asghar said the park would help students to translate their idea into outcomes.  He said Tsinghua university ranked no 50 in world having 10,000 PhD to its credit, is known for research workings think tanks.

Pakistan condemns Tunisia terrorist attack

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned bloody terrorist attack on a hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, in which many Tunisians and foreign tourists were either killed or injured. The Foreign Office spokesperson, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the people and the government of Pakistan shares the pain and anguish of the people and the government of Tunisia over the terrorist attack and wish to convey their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for speedy recovery of the injured. He said terrorism is common enemy of mankind.  Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Earlier, at least 38 people were killed in a massacre at a Tunisian beach resort were British. Thirty-six other people were wounded, the health ministry said, when at least one gunman opened fire in the Imperial Marhaba hotel in the Port El Kantaoui district. In a statement on Twitter, the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan hosting 1.6mln registered Afghan refugees: UNHCR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is hosting almost 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees and are still the largest protracted refugee population globally, said an official of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Talking to the official news agency of Pakistan, an official of UNHCR, said since 2002, the UNHCR had facilitated the return of 3.8 million registered Afghans from Pakistan. He said that the efforts to address the needs of Afghan refugees and their host communities, and to advance durable solutions, are undertaken within the framework of the regional Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), the tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation, and the Government of Pakistan’s national policy on Afghan refugees.  To complement the UNHCR and partners’ international support, the Government of Pakistan has extended Afghan refugees’ Proof of Registration (PoR) cards until the end of 2015, issued birth certificates for 800,000 Afghan refugee children, provided land for several refugee villages, and given refugees access to public schools and health clinics, he said.  In order to improve outreach to populations of concern and to build local capacity, the UNHCR works closely with local partners and government counterparts, he added.

June 26, 2015

UNHCR calls for International push to end Afghanistan refugee situation

ISLAMABAD : The head of the UN refugee agency has called on the international community to redouble its engagement with Afghanistan to help bring an end to the world’s largest protracted refugee situation. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres pointed out that reinvigorated and continued engagement was critical to support Afghanistan ’s nation building and reconciliation processes at a time of dwindling resources and expanding humanitarian needs worldwide.  “Robust development initiatives aimed at creating long-term incentives for durable return and conditions conducive for sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan are vital to create pull factors and allow for inclusion, participation and active contribution of returning Afghans, particularly the youth,” he said.  Guterres was speaking at the end of a three-day Ramadan solidarity mission to Pakistan , said a press release issued here on Friday. The UN refugee chief noted the future of some 2.6 million Afghan refugees in the region, many of whom have been living outside their country for over three decades, still hung in the balance while fresh emergencies in the Middle East and Africa competed for global attention. Praising Pakistan ’s goodwill and hospitality as a host nation, Guterres noted that “the unwavering generosity of Pakistani people towards Afghan refugees has contributed to regional stability but also more broadly to the global refugee cause at a time when we witness increased asylum fatigue worldwide.” However, Guterres stressed that 2015 was a pivotal year for Afghanistan , offering unprecedented opportunities to pursue innovative and lasting solutions for Afghan refugees in the region.  “Traditional approaches are no longer sufficient to fully capitalize on the potential for solutions in 2015 in view of prevailing challenges in Afghanistan - in an environment of shrinking humanitarian resources, it is vital to pursue innovative solutions and creative joint advocacy and resource mobilization,” he added. The High Commissioner said he was encouraged by the new National Unity Government of Afghanistan for their ownership and commitment to sustainable return and reintegration of refugees and he repeated calls for the international community to support those efforts. “It is critical that the international community steps up to support the Afghan government in their efforts to create adequate conditions for Afghans to return home and restart their lives in safety and dignity,” he said.  Pakistan is currently hosting 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees; the largest protracted refugee population globally, of which 67 per cent live in urban and peri-urban areas, while 33 per cent remain in special refugee villages.  Within Pakistan , some 1 million registered Afghan refugees reside in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.  Since 2002, more than 3.8 million Afghan refugees have returned home from Pakistan , assisted through the largest voluntary repatriation programme in UNHCR’s history.  Complementary to robust community based development initiatives in Afghanistan, the introduction of an Enhanced Voluntary Return and Reintegration Package (EVRRP) can help stimulate voluntary repatriation and support sustainable reintegration of Afghan refugees, as the preferred solution and key objective of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees which enters the second stage of its implementation in 2015-17.  Pro-active joint resource mobilization with non-traditional and traditional donors, led by the Government of Afghanistan, supported by the Government of Pakistan and facilitated by UNHCR is being pursued to secure funding for the implementation of EVRRP and the overall Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees.  As an important first step in these efforts, a joint mission to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries has been planned for the end of August 2015.

Italy arrests Pakistani accused of bloody 2009 Peshawar bombing

ROME : A Pakistani suspected of involvement in the Peshawar market bombing — one of the country’s bloodiest attacks — has been arrested in Rome , Italian police said on Friday. The man, who has been living in Italy , is accused of taking part in the attack in 2009 in which 134 died, including many women and children. He was held at Rome ’s Fiumicino airport after stepping off a flight from Pakistan . Anti-terrorist police believe he also hid a “suspected suicide attacker who was supposed to carry out an attack” in Italy . In April, Italy claimed to have dismantled an Islamist terror cell on the island of Sardinia led by two former bodyguards of Osama bin Laden who were plotting a possible attack on the Vatican . Arrest warrants were issued for 18 people, several of whom are also suspected of being part of militant networks in Pakistan . Nine were arrested across Italy , including three on Sardinia . The Vatican has played down the threat to the pope’s life.

Pakistan writes letter to British Govt over BBC report

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan government has written a letter to the British Government seeking access to the facts and information revealed by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) about Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The letter was written by the Foreign Office with the approval of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday. Pakistan requested the proofs of the allegations leveled by the report on MQM and also demanded the details of the investigations of the MQM leaders. Spokesperson Foreign Office said that the allegations levelled against MQM in the BBC report is of very severe nature. The letter seeks help of British government in reaching bottom of the facts about anti-State relationship between MQM and Indian Agency RAW. Foreign Ministry has stated in the letter that Pakistan has serious concerns over the revelations made by the British state media and demanded to keep Pakistan updated with the investigations. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had demanded access to the facts after his meeting with the British High Commissioner on Thursday. He had said that the government of Pakistan will reach the bottom of the allegations leveled at the MQM. It is pertinent to mention here that serious allegations had been leveled at MQM in a BBC report, aired on Wednesday, accusing MQM of receiving funds from India .

Ban Ki-moon condoles heatwave deaths in Karachi

NEW YORK : United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed sympathies with the victims of the deadly heat wave in Karachi and offered assistance to cope with the serious situation, the Radio Pakistan reported. A spokesman of the World Body Chief told newsmen at a briefing in New York that so far Pakistan has not requested for UN assistance. The spokesman, however, said that the United Nations would respond positively if a request comes from Pakistan to deal with the situation. The killer heat wave that struck southern Pakistan last weekend is slowly subsiding but the toll was still climbing. Mortuaries and gravediggers in Karachi , Pakistan 's largest city and economic hub, have struggled to keep up with the flow of bodies since the scorching temperatures began last weekend. Hospitals have been on a crisis footing and dedicated heatstroke treatment centres have been set up around the city to treat the tens of thousands affected by heatstroke and dehydration.

Karachi Stroke yet claims 72 more lives

KARACHI : Though the mercury had declined and the heat wave was a bit countered with normal air, 72 were still the victim of the killer heat wave in past 24 hours thus making a total of 1050 in just 6 days. More than 300 were still in different hospitals. Deaths from heat stroke in past 24 hours occurred in the city of which 18 died at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, 16 at the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), 13 at different health facilities under control of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), 20 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, 4 at the Patel Hospital (PH) and 1 at the Indus Hospital (IH). The largest number of deaths or the already dead were brought at the JPMC and they counted to 329 till date. Those died or brought as dead at the KMC hospitals were 213 and 133 at the CHK. Death from stroke in past 6 days were 23 at the Sindh Government Hospital (SGH) New Karachi, 72 at the Liaquat National Hospital, 41 at the IH, 14 at the SGH Korangi, 6 at the SGH Liaquatabad, 19 at the Ojha Sanatorium, 32 at the SGH Qatar, 30 at the PH and 60 at the Ziauddin Hospital at its 3 branches. Two had died in the Juvenile Prison Landhi. The JPMC had still 100 affectees while 58 were being admitted at the CHK and 55 at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital . According to figures from hospitals around the city, a total of 1,079 people have died, though the pace of the deaths has slowed as the weather has cooled in the last two days. Karachi hospitals have treated nearly 80,000 people for the effects of heatstroke and dehydration, according to medical officials. After days of temperatures hovering at highs in the mid-40s Celsius (around 110 Fahrenheit), sea breezes and cloud cover have brought some respite to the port city in the last two days. The crisis comes a month after neighbouring India suffered its own deadly heatwave which killed more than 2,000 people.

Pakistan condemns terrorist attack at Kuwait mosque

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Friday strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack at a mosque in Kuwait city during Friday prayers, which resulted in the loss of several valuable lives and injuries to many people. The Foreign Office spokesperson, in a statement, said that the people and the Government of Pakistan wished to convey their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of the injured. “We share the grief of the brotherly people of the State of Kuwait over this cowardly attack against innocent civilians praying at a mosque during the holy month of Ramazan,” said the spokesperson.  He said that Pakistan reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

10 killed, 35 injured in Balochistan road mishap

QUETTA: At least 10 passengers died and 35 others sustained wounds when their Shah Noorani area bound bus overturned in Mohabbat Faqir area of Khuzdar district on Friday. Police said that a passenger coach carrying several people including men, women and children left Karachi for Shah Noorani shrine in Khuzdar district which turned turtle in Mohabbat Faqir area near Shah Noorani shrine when the driver lost his control on the vehicle due to over speeding. “Ten people including children died and 35 others among them women and children received injuries in the road accident,” police said adding that the dead and injured were shifted to civil hospital Hub. “Some of the injured were taken to Karachi due to their critical condition,” police said. The police have been investigating into the incident. Further probe was underway.

HWL 2015: Pakistan, India put on a show in exciting draw

ANTWERP: In the most exciting match of the Hockey World League semi-finals, Pakistan and India shared the spoils with a 2-2 finish in Antwerp on Friday. Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran scored twice and India’s Ramandeep Singh hit back with a brace in a match described as the “best of the tournament” by Pakistan Head Coach Shahnaz Sheikh in the post-game press conference. The result moved India onto seven points in Pool A with Pakistan up to four points, enough to guarantee their place in the cross-over quarter-finals. As expected, the high-voltage clash saw the two teams fighting end to end but it was India which drew first blood as Ramandeep dove in at the back post to deflect home in the 13th minute. Pakistan equalised courtesy a penalty stroke in the second quarter, veteran defender Imran making no mistake with his effort. Imran, who played in the shadows of drag-flick king Sohail Abbas for the longest time, found the target again with a penalty corner which hit the back of the net like a missile. India responded through Ramandeep again and the two teams went into half-time on 2-2. The scoreline stood until the final buzzer but the packed stadium was well and truly entertained. Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran said: “I’m very happy. Although it was a draw we played a very good game and we could have won it. It’s a pool match and we are looking forward. We’ll look at the mistakes we made in this match but in the end I am happy with the performance of my team.” “It’s exciting - I got two goals which gives me confidence going into the next matches,” he added. India captain Sardar Singh was agreement that the two teams had put on quite a show. “They are always exciting games for everyone,” Singh said. “Both teams played a good match, but it was lucky for us to get a draw. A lot of Indian fans were looking forward to this game and I hope they enjoyed what they saw.” Pakistan will take on France next on June 28 and Imran’s side would hope they collect all three points from that match.

June 25, 2015

UN chief voices sympathy for heat-affected Karachiites, offers help if asked

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday expressed sympathy with the victims of the deadly heat-wave in Karachi , and offered the United Nations help to cope with the serious situation if requested by the Government of Pakistan, a world body spokesman said. “The secretary-general sympathizes with the affected people and hopes their sufferings would come to an end soon", Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq said in reply to a question from a Pakistani journalist at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.He said so far there had been no request for UN assistance, noting that hundreds of people had died of unprecedented heat. “If we are called upon to help, we’ll respond.”

Pakistan Govt to write letter to British govt to seek information about BBC report: Nisar

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here on Thursday said the government of Pakistan would write a letter to the British government to get access to information provided in a BBC documentary about MQM.  Addressing a news conference here, he said he had a meeting with British High Commissioner during which he conveyed the government’s views on the BBC documentary.  He said he told the High Commissioner that the facts mentioned in the BBC report were a matter of concern for the people and government of Pakistan . This was an important report and needed a fair and transparent inquiry, he added. The facts in the report corroborated the information provided by Pakistani security agencies and foreign sources about a neighbouring country, adding in the previous days, the highest leadership of this country accepted involvement in inhuman activities. Chaudhry Nisar said he had already discussed the facts of the BBC report with a team of Scotland Yard which came to Pakistan in the past. “We are committed and focused that the facts mentioned in the documentary should be accessed as these are important for the security of Pakistan .” He said the facts of the report should not be related to the leaders, voters and supporters of the MQM, who were as patriotic as any other Pakistanis. “The report is about certain people and before time we should not draw conclusions.” He said BBC was a British institution which had credibility while integrity of judiciary in Britain was known around the world.  The minister said Pakistan and Britain enjoyed cordial relations and their security agencies were closely cooperating on international crime, narcotics and law and order.  A lot of information was shared with Scotland Yard in Dr Imran Farooq murder case, he mentioned. He said Dr Imran Farooq was an innocent Pakistani killed in another country and it was their obligation to extend assistance to Britain as a transnational crime was committed.

Pakistan dismisses Afghan spy agency’s claim over parliament attack

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected as false Afghan intelligence claims that an officer of Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, and the Haqqani Network were involved in the attack on the Afghan parliament earlier this week. Afghanistan ’s intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), alleged on Wednesday that the brazen attack on the parliament building in Kabul was planned in Peshawar . “We reject these allegations. These allegations have been levelled against ISI and its officers in the past as well,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said. “ Pakistan is a well-wisher of Afghanistan and we are committed to good neighbourly relations and commitment to our relations with Afghanistan ,” Qazi said, while responding to a questions regarding the NDS’s allegations reported by the Associated Press. Taliban had claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack that had killed two people. No MP was hurt in the three-hour standoff. “Mawlawi Shireen, the military commander of Haqani network, masterminded the attack and Bilal, an officer of the ISI provided financial and logistical support for it,” NDS spokesperson Haseeb Sediqi told the media. Sediqi could not provide any proof to substantiate his allegations and also claimed that about Rs7.5 million were spent on the attack. The FO spokesperson said Pakistan and Afghanistan have been interacting at the highest level. “We have said in the past and I want to reiterate that enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan and a guiding principle of our relationship is that we will not allow our soil to be used against others.” He said Pakistan that, as soon as the terrorist attack took place on the Afghan Parliament, Pakistan strongly condemned it at three levels-Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly and Foreign Office. “That reflected the sentiments of the people and the Government of Pakistan on the cowardly terrorist attack.” Responding to a question about a recent meeting between the Afghan Taliban leaders and the Kabul-backed peace council in the Chinese city of Urumqi , Qazi said Pakistan had facilitated the meeting. “Will facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process,” the spokesperson reiterated. He said Pakistan is cooperating with Afghanistan on counter-terrorism and both have agreed to take coordinated actions in this regard. “Terrorist attacks have taken place in Pakistan as well but our cooperation with Afghanistan has continued as it is in the interest of the peoples of the two countries.”

Altaf terms BBC report ‘fabricated and baseless’

LONDON : London-based  leader of  Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain on Thursday said he respects the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) but its recent story ‘accusing MQM of receiving funds from India ’ was being presented as a ‘Quranic verse’. Addressing a workers meeting  he said his party had faced many operations in the past and once again ‘some people’ wanted to crush the MQM. He rejected the BBC report in categorical terms, saying the story was ‘fabricated and baseless’. Altaf Hussain said that, despite many conspiracies against MQM during its 37-year long presence, the party was still intact and that he was still leading the party from the front. He asked his workers to continue their struggle in case he is assassinated. He said Khawaja Asif warned of MQM’s ‘loadshedding’ soon as he (Asif) raised his finger towards Rashid Godil, the party’s leader in the National Assembly. Altaf Hussain asked Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to hold the Holy Qura’n in his hands and to tell the nation if all the operations launched in the past were not against MQM. He claimed that the interior minister was exchanging documents with the British officials. The MQM chief urged Nisar to invite the British High Commissioner once more time and ask him to launch a probe against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for his past statement in which he (Dar) had admitted to committing the crime of money laundering. “Killers of Dr Imran Farooq were not captured in the last five years but suddenly there are claims that the murderers were arrested from Chaman border,” he added. He said BBC journalist Owen Bennet-Jones quoted an ‘authoritative’ Pakistani source in his story, asking the interior minister as to who his (Owen’s) Pakistani source was.

Talks are ongoing with Afghanistan regarding Fazlullah’s extradition: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on Thursday said that Taliban who are the supporters of peace talks have kept silence whereas the opponents are giving statements. While responding to question in the first ever meeting of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee at Parliament House, Sartaj Aziz said that due to the ongoing war in Afghanistan it would be too early to say anything about peace dialogue. He stated that the coming few weeks will be extremely significant for peace talks however; it is being tried to conduct such a dialogue in either Qatar or Istanbul. The adviser confirmed that negotiations are going on with the Afghan authorities regarding the search and extradition of Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry also briefed the committee about talks with India and said that no progress has yet been made in this regard as India is ruling out the resumption of dialogue.

Pakistani Flying Officer wins “Best Overseas Award” at Royal Air Force Academy

ISLAMABAD: Flying Officer of Pakistan Air Force, Junaid Saleem achieved the singular distinction of winning the “Best Overseas Award” at Royal Air Force (RAF) Academy at Cranwell.  Pakistan High Commission in UK arranged a brief ceremony to celebrate Junaid Saleem’s achievement in London on Thursday, according to a message received here from London.  Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Syed Ibne Abbas congratulated the Officer on his remarkable success that brought about good name for Pakistan.  He said that such a success was testimony to the high professional standards of Pakistan Air Force which had always stood up to its reputation with pride. He urged the Cadet Officer to keep up the high standards of professionalism set by Pakistan Air Force throughout his career.  The High Commissioner remarked: “It is a proud moment not only for the Pakistan Air Force, but for the whole nation. This also shows that our educational and training institutions are second to none and can impart excellence in various fields, as manifested in Junaid’s success.” Junaid Saleem attributed his success to the training he received at Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur and his parents’ prayers. He said his achievement would further boost the morale of the armed forces of Pakistan who were engaged in bringing about peace and stability in the country by fighting extremism and terrorism.  The Officer expressed his firm resolve to serve the nation in line with the traditions of Pakistan Air Force.  Junaid Saleem was successfully commissioned on June 18, 2015.  Mr Toby Dennis, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire decorated him with the Award at a special ceremony.  The event was attended by the officers of the High Commission and representatives of the media.

JUNE 24, 2015

Death toll from heatwave in Sindh reaches 838: NADRA

KARACHI : The death toll due to recent heatwave in Sindh province has risen to 838 for last few days. The maximum deaths have so far been reported from Karachi , where mercury has broken the record of the past decade. The Sindh Meteorological Department has forecasted that the weather will come to normal in next 24 next hours. Meanwhile, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Major General Asghar Nawaz has said that all possible resources and facilities have been offered to Sindh Government to address the heatstroke-related issues. Talking to media after visiting Jinnah Hospital Karachi on Wednesday, he said the heatstroke and rehabilitation centers of Pakistan Army, Navy and Rangers have been activated to provide relief to the people affected by heatstroke. He said twenty-nine heatstroke centers have been set up in Karachi . He said all schools and some other buildings are being converted into heatstroke treatment centers. He said sufficient amount of clean drinking water has been arranged to mitigate the effects of high temperature. The NDMA Chairman said due to the low pressure of the air and high temperature the cases of heatstroke are increasing. He said 838 people have died due to the heat wave and 800 casualties were reported from Karachi alone. Meanwhile, hospital sources said over 800 people including 35 children died and thousands of others have been shifted to various hospitals after suffering from heat stroke in Karachi over the last four days. Dr. Seemi Jamali, medical superintendent of Karachi ’s biggest state-run Jinnah Medical Centre, said they have received over 200 people who were either dead or died of heat stroke at the hospital. Dr. Salma Qausar, senior director of the smaller Abbasi Shaheed Hospital confirmed that 102 people have died of heat-related conditions, including dehydration at their hospital and over 1000 are being treated. A total of 446 others died at other hospitals including Liaquat National Hospital, Civil Hospital, National Institute of Cardiology, Ziauddin Hospital and others. The doctors said most of the patients were brought to hospital unconscious, suffering from high grade fever while others told the medics that they collapsed suddenly during the sizzling day and suffered extreme breathing problem. They said most of the heat wave victims were 50 years old or above. They said the death toll is feared to rise as patients continue coming in on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Edhi Foundation, a non- government organization, which runs the largest morgue in the city, said they have adjusted over 600 bodies in recent days despite having a capacity of a far less number and now they are running out of space for keeping more bodies. Health Secretary Saeed Mangnejo said most of the victims of the heat stroke came from the poor neighborhoods of the city, living in small houses and working in the sun as daily-wage laborers. He said a state of emergency has been imposed at all hospitals in the city. Pakistan Army has set up various heatstroke relief centers in different districts of Sukkur and Larkana divisions of Sindh to provide medical assistance to people affected by heatstroke. These Relief centers have been setup at Basic Health Unit (BHU) Sultanpur, BHU Dadlo, Hussain Beli area of Sukkur, BHU Ubhri of Khairpur district, BHU Qadirpur and BHU Taj Ruk of Ghotki district and also various centers in Larkana districts. The affected people have been advised to contact with these centers immediately. Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had directed Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Major General Asghar Nawaz to visit Karachi and report the situation emerging out of the heatwave in the city.

BBC report unveils shocking facts about MQM

LONDON : A BBC report on Wednesday revealed shocking facts about Karachi ’s strong party Mutahida Maumi Movement that India , the rival country of Pakistan , had been funded MQM for terrorism in Pakistan . Officials in Pakistan ’s MQM party have told the UK authorities they received Indian government funds, the BBC learnt from an authoritative Pakistani source. UK authorities investigating the MQM for alleged money laundering also found a list of weapons in an MQM property. A Pakistani official has told the BBC that India has trained hundreds of MQM militants over the last 10 years. The Indian authorities described the claims as “completely baseless”. The MQM said it was not going to comment. With 24 members in the National Assembly, the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has long been a dominant force in the politics of Pakistan ’s largest city, Karachi . British authorities held formal recorded interviews with senior MQM officials who told them the party was receiving Indian funding, the BBC was told. Meanwhile a Pakistani official has told the BBC that India has trained hundreds of MQM militants in explosives, weapons and sabotage over the last 10 years in camps in north and north-east India . Before 2005-2006 the training was given to a small number of mid-ranking members of the MQM, the official said. More recently greater numbers of more junior party members have been trained. The claims follow the statement of a senior Karachi police officer that two arrested MQM militants said they had been trained in India . In April Rao Anwar gave details of how the two men went to India via Thailand to be trained by the Indian intelligence agency RAW. In response MQM leader Altaf Hussain issued a tirade of abuse at Rao Anwar. Asked about the claims of Indian funding and training of the MQM, the Indian High Commission in London said: “Shortcomings of governance cannot be rationalised by blaming neighbours.” The UK authorities started investigating the MQM in 2010 when a senior party leader, Imran Farooq, was stabbed to death outside his home in north London . In the course of those inquiries the police found around £500,000 ($787,350) in the MQM’s London offices and in the home of MQM leader Altaf Hussain. That prompted a second investigation into possible money laundering. In the course of the inquiries the UK authorities found a list itemising weapons, including mortars, grenades and bomb-making equipment in an MQM property, according to Pakistani media reports that the BBC believes to be credible. The list included prices for the weapons. Asked about the list, the MQM made no response. As the UK police investigations have progressed, the British judiciary has been taking an increasingly tough line on the MQM. Back in 2011 a British judge adjudicating an asylum appeal case found that “the MQM has killed over 200 police officers who have stood up against them in Karachi ”. Last year another British judge hearing another such case found: “There is overwhelming objective evidence that the MQM for decades had been using violence.” The MQM is also under pressure in Pakistan . In March the country’s security forces raided the party’s Karachi headquarters. They claimed to have found a significant number of weapons there. The MQM said they were planted. The party has a solid support base made up of the Mohajirs, or refugees who left India at the time of partition so that they could settle in Pakistan . The Mohajirs complain that they have been the subject of sustained discrimination in Pakistan . The MQM insists it is a peaceful, secular party representing the interests of the middle classes in Pakistan . As well as its electoral base, the MQM has formidable street power. When it orders a strike the streets empty and the whole of Karachi grinds to a halt. Altaf Husain has lived in self-imposed exile in the UK for more than 20 years. He was given a British passport in 2002. For many years the party has been accused of using violence to impose its will in Karachi . A number of MQM officials, including Altaf Hussain, have been arrested in relation to the money-laundering case but no-one has been charged. The party insists that all its funds are legitimate and that most of them come from donors in the business community in Karachi . India has long accused Pakistani officials of involvement in sponsoring militant attacks in India . Delhi , for example, has demanded that Pakistan take firmer action against those suspected of plotting and managing the Mumbai attacks of 2008. The latest developments in the MQM case suggest that Pakistan will now counter such complaints with demands that India stop sponsoring violent forces in Karachi .

UN calls on international community to help Afghan Refugees in Iran , Pakistan

ISLAMABAD : The Chief of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), António Guterres, has called on the international community to help in the repatriation process of Afghan refugees in Iran , Pakistan and other neighboring countries. This came after he visited refugee camps in Peshawar city and termed the Afghan refugee situation miserable. “We still have Afghan refugees as the second largest refugee group after the Syrians. My appeal is to the international community to understand that this is not only the responsibility for Pakistan or Iran or other neighboring countries; it is a collective responsibility,” he said. Guterres also urged the international community to support programs by the Afghan government to allow for the return of Afghan refugees to the country and to help them with education, health, land allocation and employment projects. Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Abdul Qadir Baloch, said they will start the process to register undocumented Afghan refugees on June 25, and that funds have already been allocated for this purpose. “An office will be opened here by the Afghan government to ease travel for Afghans. It is traditional and common that Afghans and Pakistanis travel between the two countries through Chaman and Torkham borders, but I am sure that it will be good that the Afghan refugee repatriation (program) takes place through a respected process,” he suggested. A number of Afghan refugees in Peshawar city said they are often harassed by Pakistan security forces and are therefore being forced to return to Afghanistan. “Pakistani police have started harassing Afghan refugees for the past few months therefore I decided to return to the country with my family,” said Mohammadullah, an Afghan refugee in Peshawar. Another Afghan refugee, Bibi Gul, said: “Although I face huge economic problems I have decided to return to Afghanistan with my family, in these hard times.” According to UNHCR, there are more than 150,000 documented Afghan refugees in Pakistan; however, more than 100,000 of them are undocumented.

India upset with Beijing for blocking UN move against Pakistan

NEW DELHI: With China blocking UN action against Pakistan for release of Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself raised the issue with the Chinese leadership, emphasizing before it that this was an emotive issue for Indians who have not yet forgotten Mumbai attack that left 166 people dead, Indian media reported on Wednesday. While the Indian government said in an official statement that the issue had been taken up at the highest level with China, Modi is learnt to have himself conveyed to Beijing how strongly India felt about Lakhvi and the fact that he was now out of prison. India is upset with Beijing for having blocked the UN move - at India’s insistence - to seek an explanation from Islamabad over the alleged violation of 1267 sanctions regime in releasing Lakhvi. Modi apparently felt the need to take up the issue at the highest level also because China acted as a holdout within the P5 group of countries in blocking UN’s move. All other P5 countries - US, France, Russia and UK - had fully backed India’s plea to the UN to consider action against Pakistan for release of Lakhvi, Indian media claimed. The 1267 Sanctions Committee comprises as members 15 countries - 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. China alone blocked the UN move saying India had not provided enough information to merit such an action by UN. Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar is also learnt to have taken up the issue with his counterpart in Beijing. Although Indian official were tight-lipped though about how, and exactly when, Modi had taken up the issue with China and if he had spoken directly to President Xi Jinping with whom he had discussed the issue of terrorism in detail during his visit to Beijing last month. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukherjee last month had written to UN Sanctions Committee saying that Lakhvi’s release by a Pakistani court was in violation of the 1267 UN resolution dealing with designated entities and individuals. The resolution ensures that designated individuals face a travel ban, arms embargo and that their assets are also frozen. This is not the first time though China has stalled India’s efforts to seek the same ban on other individuals operating out of Pakistan. Only weeks ago it put on “technical hold” a ban under the same resolution on Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. Both these developments come shortly after Modi’s bilateral meeting with Xi which saw the two countries reiterating their “resolute opposition” to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and commitment to cooperate on counter-terrorism, Indian reports say. A local court on April 9 set free Lakhvi.

June 23, 2015

Death toll in Karachi heatwave rises to 520

KARACHI : The death toll due to heatstroke in the last four days has risen to more than 520 in Karachi . According to official sources, most patients are men of aged 50 or more. As per details, more than 200 deaths have been reported from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, 71 each at Civil Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital , 28 at Qatar Hospital , 22 each at Ziauddin Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital , 30 at Indus Hospital , 15 at Lyari General Hospital and 8 at Sindh Government Hospital . Sindh Government has declared emergency in all the hospitals of the province and has directed the administration to ensure prompt availability of doctors, paramedical staff and necessary medicines to provide immediate treatment to the heatstroke patients. Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers Sindh have also established Heatstroke Relief Centers at various places in the city to provide immediate help to the patients affected by intense heat. It may be pointed out that Karachi is in the grip of intense heat for the last four days with temperatures staying above 40 and touching 45 on Saturday last that also broke a ten year record of highest temperature. Continuous and prolonged outages of electricity have also added to the miseries of people. Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that temperature will begin to decrease from this evening while there are also chances of rain in the Southern part of Sindh including Karachi .

Any effort to destabilize Pakistan will be responded forcefully: Maleeha Lodhi

UNITED NATIONS: Top diplomat Maleeha Lodhi said on Tuesday said that any effort to destabilize Pakistan or to attack on its territorial integrity will be responded forcefully. She gave these remarks while addressing a debate on situation in Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council. Acknowledging terrorism as a common challenge, she said, Pakistan has condemned the recent rise in violence in Afghanistan , including the atrocious attack on Afghan Parliament. She reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to cooperation with Afghanistan in fighting the scourge of terrorism. Maleeha Lodhi said Pakistan would play a constructive role in promoting peace and security in Afghanistan . “Any effort to destabilize parts of our country or to attack its territorial integrity will be responded to forcefully,” the Pakistan envoy said in a debate on the situation in Afghanistan . Acknowledging that terrorism remained a common challenge, she told the 15-member Council that Pakistan had condemned of the recent rise in violence in Afghanistan, including the “atrocious” attack on the Afghan Parliament, and reaffirmed Islamabad’s  commitment to cooperation with that country in fighting the scourge. Ambassador Lodhi spoke after the quarterly briefing by Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in which he urged the international community to work towards lasting peace and reconciliation by facilitating direct talks between the Government and armed groups.The country continued to need the support of the international community and the sustained attention of the Council, he stressed. In her remarks, Ambassador Lodhi said Pakistan would play a constructive role in promoting peace and security in Afghanistan that could best be achieved through a process of national reconciliation undertaken and led by Afghans themselves. “We welcome the first, tentative steps taken in recent months to advance the reconciliation process. We hope these steps will lead soon to direct talks as well as de-escalation of violence. “ Pakistan will do everything possible to encourage this process. Success will require reciprocal accommodation and above all, strategic patience,” the Pakistani envoy added. Ambassador Lodhi affirmed enhance engagement between her country and Afghanistan based on the principles of non-interference, preventing the use of territory to attack the other country and treatment of each other’s enemies as common enemies, as agreed by Prime Minister Muhammed Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during the Pakistani learder’s recent visit to Kabul. Outlining activities related to the Heart of Asia process that Pakistan co-chaired, she stated that sustainable peace in Afghanistan would lead to regional stability.  She also welcomed the Afghan Government’s commitment to the return and reintegration of the large population of refugees hosted by Pakistan and hoped for continued UNAMA assistance in that regard. Ambassador Lodhi called for more focused action with international support to stem the illicit drug trade.  The destinies of Afghanistan and Pakistan were intertwined, and her country would help the Afghan people in whatever way it could to reach the goal of lasting peace. Haysom, the UN envoy to Afghanistan, also said yhe Afghan National Security Forces had been stretched as they took on full security responsibilities.  There had been an intensification of conflict across the country, including in areas previously considered to be safe.  While the Afghan Forces faced operational challenges, their commitment was beyond question and they demonstrated resilience in the face of efforts by insurgents to take and hold ground. Foreign fighters from Afghanistan’s northern neighbours and elsewhere presented a particular challenge, he said, adding that there was considerable concern that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS) was seeking to establish a foothold.  That demanded greater regional involvement and collaboration to address that shared threat.  The most tragic index of the intensification of conflict was the toll on civilians, with 4,216 killed or injured so far this year.

China blocks India’s move in UN seeking action against Pakistan on Lakhvi

UNITED NATIONS: China blocked India’s move in the UN demanding action against Pakistan over release of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in violation of a resolution of the world body as it contended that India provided insufficient information, Indian media reported on Tuesday. As the UN sanctions committee met here at India’s request, a clarification was to be sought from Pakistan over Lakhvi’s release in the Mumbai attacks trial but the Chinese representatives blocked the move on grounds that India did not provide sufficient information, official sources said. In a letter to the current chair of the UN sanctions committee Jim McLay, India’s permanent representative to the UN Asoke Mukherjee last month had said Lakhvi’s release by a Pakistani court was in violation of the 1267 UN resolution dealing with designated entities and individuals. The sanctions measures apply to designated individuals and entities associated with terror groups including al-Qaeda and LeT, wherever located. The sanctions’ committee has five permanent and 10 non-permanent UN member states in it. The release of Lakhvi had also raised concerns in the US, UK, Russia, France and Germany with Washington calling for him to be re-arrested. Lakhvi, 55, was arrested in December 2008 and was indicted along with the six others on November 25, 2009 in connection with the 26/11 attack case. The trial has been underway since 2009. A Pakistani court had on April 9 this set free Lakhvi.

Polio-affected Pakistani receives “The Queen’s Young Leaders” award

LONDON: Brave and courageous polio-affected Salman Ahmad from Pakistan received “The Queen’s Young Leaders” award for 2015. His achievements were recognized when he collected his award from Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony held at the Buckingham Palace on Monday, according to a message received here Tuesday from Pakistan’s High Commission in London. Pakistan High Commissioner to UK, Syed Ibne Abbas represented Pakistan at the award ceremony. He also met talented Salman Ahmad and commended him for his achievements. Salman Ahmad, 27, was affected by polio in his childhood but he refused to let his mobility problems hold him back. He co-founded the GADE Foundation, which aims to encourage young men and women to become more involved in enterprise. It has so far established groups at 26 universities to organize its activities at a grassroots level. Salman hopes to change attitudes towards disabled people. He is the recipient of several international awards, including Commonwealth Scholarship and was nominated for Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work. The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen. With this support, Award winners are expected to continue and develop the amazing work in their communities.

June 22, 2015

Taliban launch brazen attack on Afghan parliament, seize second district in north

KABUL : A Taliban suicide bomber and six gunmen attacked the Afghan parliament on Monday, wounding at least 19 people and sending a plume of black smoke across Kabul , as a second district in two days fell to the Islamist group in the north. The attack on the symbolic centre of power, one of the most brazen in years, along with a series of Taliban gains elsewhere, raise questions about the NATO-trained Afghan security forces’ ability to cope and how far the militants can advance. Violence has spiralled in Afghanistan since the departure of most foreign forces at the end of last year. The insurgents are pushing to take territory more than 13 years after the U.S.-led military intervention that toppled the Taliban from power. The attack began when a Taliban fighter driving a car loaded with explosives blew up outside parliament gates, said Ebadullah Karimi, spokesman for Kabul police, raising questions about how the driver got through several security checkpoints. Six gunmen took up positions in a building near parliament, he said. Security forces killed the six after a gun battle lasting nearly two hours. Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said all lawmakers were safe. TV pictures showed the speaker sitting calmly and legislators leaving the building, engulfed in dust and smoke, without panicking. Four women were among the 19 wounded, said Sayed Kabir Amiri, a health official who coordinates Kabul hospitals. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility. “We have launched an attack on parliament as there was an important gathering to introduce the country’s defence minister,” he said by phone. Lawmaker Farhad Sediqi was among several lawmakers who criticised security agencies for not preventing the attack.

Pakistan PM strongly denounces terrorist attack on Afghan parliament

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has condemned in the strongest terms attack on Afghan parliament saying the terrorists cannot escape their doom by perpetrating  cowardly acts. PM held terrorists are common enemy of both Pakistan   and Afghanistan adding bilateral cooperation will continue between the two countries for the sake of peace and elimination of terrorism. As per Musaddaq Malik, spokesman  of Prime Minister (PM) House . PM Nawaz Sharif  in his message to Afghan government has strongly denounced the terrorists  attack on Afghan parliament in Kabul and has fully assured of Pakistan cooperation for weeding out terrorism. PM Nawaz Sharif said terrorists are not allowed to play with the lives of people. They cannot be allowed in any way to perpetrate such acts. PM further said in his message that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are united for eradication of terrorism. Both the countries will continue to take  joint steps till the terrorism is wiped out from Pakistan and Afghanistan, PM underlined. Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the attack on the building of Wolesi Jirga (lower house of the Parliament) in Kabul. In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah stated, “We commend the role of Afghan security forces in effectively countering this act of terrorism.” He said the government of Pakistan reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The spokesman added, “We reaffirm our resolve to fight terrorism in close coordination with the Government of Afghanistan. We stand with our Afghan brothers in our common struggle against terrorism.” Earlier, six Taliban gunmen who attacked the Afghan parliament on Monday have been killed nearly two hours after lawmakers were forced to flee by a large explosion and gunfire. Kabul police spokesman said one Taliban fighter driving a car detonated a bomb outside the parliament gates and six others took up positions near the building.

Karachi heatwave death toll reaches 300

KARACHI: Death toll from a devastating heatwave that has gripped Sindh for three days now led to at least 163 more deaths in the provincial capital of Karachi on Monday, taking the number of people who have died from heat-related symptoms to over 300. According to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) Medical Superintendent Dr Imran Samdani, seven people lost their lives this morning. The deaths are said to have occurred due to heat and gastro-related problems. Earlier, it was reported that 30 people had died in ASH on Saturday and Sunday. Twelve women and two children are among the dead. Meanwhile, head of emergency department at Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Seemin Jamali told Dawn that 50 people have died since late last night. Earlier, 85 people were said to have died at JPMC since late Saturday night. According to latest figures, a total of 141 people have been recorded dead at JPMC due to heat-related symptoms in the past three days. Professor N. Saeed Qureshi from Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) said there have been six more deaths at the hospital on Monday, taking the death toll at CHK to 35. Doctor Sabir Memon, a senior health official with the government in southern Sindh province, said the death toll was 180 and warned it was likely to rise in the evening. A news agency tally based on information from five hospitals around Karachi suggested the toll there could be as high as 249. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Edhi mortuary told DawnNews that around 400 dead bodies had been submitted to the welfare centre in the past 48 hours. He said the morgue had reached its capacity and could not accommodate more dead bodies. Edhi’s Sohrab Goth morgue has received around 200 dead bodies in the past 24 hours alone, the head of the facility, Muhammad Bilal, told APP. He said these included those who died due to heatstroke as well as others who expired because of various diseases and natural causes. “We have been telling people not to bring dead bodies since last night but despite that they are coming. We cannot accommodate more dead bodies,” he said. The Sindh provincial government has imposed a state of emergency at all hospitals, cancelling leave for doctors and other medical staff and increasing stocks of medical supplies. According to earlier reports, at least 132 people had lost their lives due to the intense weather — most of whom were pronounced dead at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), officials had said. Saturday was the hottest day of this year’s summer in Karachi, during which the mercury had shot to 45 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature of 48 degree Celsius was recorded in three districts of Sindh — Jacobabad, Larkana and Sukkur — on Saturday, which slid down to 41 on Sunday. Officials had said on Sunday that Karachi would not see any let-up on Monday (today) when temperatures are expected to go up to 44 degree Celsius. Earlier this month, 17 people died due to a heatstroke in Sindh’s Sehwan during the Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. In Karachi, electricity shortages crippled the water supply system, hampering the pumping of millions of gallons of water to consumers, the state-run water utility said. Pakistan’s Met Office said temperatures hit 43 C in Karachi on Sunday. More hot and humid weather is predicted for the coming 24 hours, though thunderstorms forecast for later in the week could bring cooler weather. Pakistan Rangers Sindh has established ten “Heat Stroke Relief Centers” at different locations in Karachi to provide relief to the citizens who are affected due to extreme heat wave. The doctors, paramedical staff and complete medical facilities will be available at each center to cure heat stroke patients. Residents of the city have been struggling with the worst heatwave in decades and now they can breathe a sigh of relief. Parts of the city received light rain on Monday turning the weather pleasant. Rain was received in Orangi Town, North Nazimabad and F.B. Area. At least 257 people have died due to the current heatwave during the last three days in Karachi. The port city of Sindh still sizzles for a third consecutive day on Monday with the temperature at 36 degree Celsius, expected to reach a high of 43 degree Celsius. On Friday, temperature rose to 45 degrees Celsius in the metropolis. Temperatures in other cities of the province such as Dadu, Sehwan and Larkana reached a scorching 39 degree Celsius. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (MET), the monsoon system would enter the province tomorrow and rain is expected in Karachi as well as other coastal areas.

UNHCR lauds Pak for hosting world’s largest refugees (Return of Afghan refugees with dignity, government’s priority: Nawaz)

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday said that Pakistan took care of Afghan refugees as a sacred duty and their return with dignity was a priority of the government.  He was talking to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Gutterres who called on him at the PM House.  Matters relating to Afghan refugees in Pakistan including their repatriation to their homeland came under discussion, said a press release of the PM House. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan paid a heavy price in fighting terrorism and now there was a national consensus to eliminate this menace. He said operation Zarb-e-Azb successfully destroyed terrorists’ hideouts and networks and the first batch of displaced persons had returned to their homes. He said the government had allocated 1 billion dollars for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected area.  Gutterres informed the Prime Minister that he was on his annual Ramazan solidarity visit and extended condolences on the loss of lives due to heatwave in Karachi. Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts for hosting the world’s largest refugee population for more than three decades. He was called on Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Monday. They discussed matters pertaining to repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland. Sartaj Aziz also appreciated UNHCR’s continuous engagement with Pakistan over return of Afghan refugees. Mr. Antonio Guterres is on a 3 day “Ramazan Solidarity” visit to Pakistan from June 22 to 24. During the meeting, issues relating to the Afghan refugees in Pakistan and their voluntary repatriation back to their homeland were discussed. Guterres acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan for hosting the world’s largest refugee population for more than three decades. In response, Sartaj Aziz also appreciated UNHCR’s continuous engagement with Pakistan over return of Afghan refugees. The Adviser underscored the importance of creating pull factors inside Afghanistan and suggested that UNHCR, supported by the International community, should assist the current Afghan Government in creating pull factors inside Afghanistan, which would be helpful in the reintegration of Afghans returning from Pakistan. In this regard, both felt a strong need for donors to provide immediate, tangible and concrete support for reintegration activities inside Afghanistan. It was also agreed that with the peaceful transition in Afghanistan and the commitment shown by the current dispensation, time for successful repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees was more than ever.This is Mr. Guterres’ sixth visit to Pakistan since his appointment as the High Commissioner for Refugees by the General Assembly in 2005.

World Bank to release US$ 500m for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank Vice President for South Asia Region, Ms Annette Dixon said on Monday that the Bank would release funds to the tune of US$ 500 million for Pakistan within 24 hours. A statement issued by the Ministry of Finance here Monday said that Ms Annette Dixon made a telephone call to Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and felicitated him on successful completion of growth of development policy credits (DPC-2). She said that World Bank would release US$ 500 million within twenty four hours which would to reinvigorate growth and stabilize the economy. She also lauded the economic performance of the government and appreciated the reforms introduced by the government under leadership of Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. She said the government’s economic team led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar deserved special praise for achieving economic stability and ensuring consistency in economic policies despite a number of challenges and difficulties. The Finance Minister thanked Ms Annett for the phone call and added that he looked forward to ever closer Pakistan-World Bank economic cooperation. The World Bank and Pakistan have already signed the Second Fiscally Sustainable and Inclusive Growth DPC (Development Policy Credit) of five hundred million dollars to support Pakistan’s efforts to reinvigorate growth and stabilize the economy. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States and Annette Dixon signed the accord in Washington, it added. 

June 20, 2015

World Bank credits Pakistani leadership for “tremendous” economic growth

WASHINGTON : Pakistan ’s economy has made “tremendous progress” and the government seemed poised to achieve its goal of alleviating poverty from the country, Annette Dixon, the World Bank’s Vice President for South Asian region said here. Speaking after signing the Development Policy Credit worth $500 million single-tranche, she credited the progress to the vision of the current Pakistani leadership. She said the board members that attended the meeting lauded the tremendous progress in Pakistan ’s economic growth. Pakistan ’s ambassador to the U.S. Jalil Abbas Jilani signed the programme on the country’s behalf. “The members were very optimistic that the present government would be able to achieve its goal in implementing microeconomic policies and to accelerate poverty reduction in the country,” the World Bank official said. Pakistan was expected to get the single tranche of $500 under the second Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (FSIG-2) by Monday, a World Bank official told. Pakistan is expected to get another Development Policy Credit (DPC) of $500 million in September or earlier this year. Ms Dixson  also appreciated the work of Pakistani representative Nasir Khosa and Country Director for Pakistan Raschid Ben Messaoud to strengthen this great partnership between Pakistan and the Bank. The first Fiscal Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (FSIG-I ) single-tranche policy credit addressed critical institutional and regulatory changes needed to jump start the reforms, whereas the second credit will bring depth and sustainability to most actions of the first credit, while addressing new reforms on inclusion and governance. “The FSIG - II  will support measures that promote greater fiscal transparency”, says Jose Lopez Calix, Task Team Leader of the project in a statement.” Fiscal transparency helps to ensure governments make informed economic decisions and allow legislatures and citizens to hold governments accountable for their use of public resources”, he added. The credit is financed  from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group’s grant and low interest arm. It will be on standard IDA terms, with a maturity of 25 years, including a grace period of 5 years.

Pakistan President meets Saudia Arab’s King Salman

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia : President Mamnoon Hussain met with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud in Jeddah and discussed bilateral relations, regional situation and matters of mutual interest. In a meeting held here late Thursday, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Naef was also present. President Mamnoon was accompanied by Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq and Consul General Aftab Khokher.  The King warmly welcomed President Mamnoon Hussain on his visit to Saudi Arabia . President Mamnoon Hussain said the people and the Government of Pakistan have warm feelings for the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia and hold the Custodian of two Holy Mosques in high esteem.  King Salman said that Pakistan is a brotherly country and the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are exemplary.  He said the Pakistani community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was very well respected for its conduct and contribution in the development of the Kingdom. More than two million Pakistanis reside in the Kingdom. In response to President’s appreciation of the Kings of Saudi Arabia for the Muslim Ummah in their role as the Custodians of two Holy Mosques, King Salman said it was their sacred responsibility to serve the Umrah and the Hajj pilgrims and ensure peace and stability in the Kingdom. The President extended an invitation to King Salman to visit Pakistan, which was accepted.

20 terrorists killed during on-going operation (Terrorist funding choked, says DG ISPR)

KHYBER AGENCY/MOSCOW: At least 20 terrorists including a top commander were killed and 18 others injured as military jets pounded their hideouts in Khyber Agency on Friday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), several hideouts of militant affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were destroyed. The air strikes come a week after military jets killed at least 20 suspected militants in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan. The Pakistan army has been fighting Zarb-e-Azb against the TTP and other militant groups in North and South Waziristan since June last year carrying out air strikes and using artillery, mortars and ground troops. The ISPR said that 2,763 terrorists have killed, 837 hideouts destroyed and 253 tons of explosive have been recovered during the operation. Meanwhile, the Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa in his interview with a Russian magazine, Sputnik has said that Pakistan’s new anti-terrorism National Action Plan is proving effective in cutting the funding of terrorist groups operating in the country. “One of the biggest achievements of the plan were the physical operations in FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas], intelligence-based operations and choking the funding of terrorist groups,” Bajwa said. He noted that while some parts of the National Action Plan have already been initiated, other aspects require more time due to political challenges.

Its Pakistan responsibility to take steps for betterment ties with Delhi: Indian minister

NEW YORK: Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the onus of creating an environment for improving bilateral relations is more on Pakistan, the Press Trust of India reported. Jaitley made the remarks at a talk held at the New York-based think-tank Council on Foreign Relations on the second day of his 10-day visit to the US. He was answering a question on India’s foreign policy. “With Pakistan, the border frequently becomes tensed, where there are exchanges on that border,” Jaitley said. “I think the message in the context of Pakistan is that India is interested in improving the relationship with Pakistan and therefore the onus of the responsibility for creating an environment in which the relationship can grow would also depend much more on Pakistan and the kind of provocation that comes from there.” Jaitley added that the message that India is interested in normalising relations with Pakistan and that the onus for this is on Pakistan has been “loud and clear”. India and Pakistan have lately been involved in a war of words with Modi making statements criticising Pakistan during a recent visit to Dhaka.

British Muslims are on top of every field: David Cameron

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday British Muslims were on top of every field ranging from business, health services to politics  and  were making a great contribution to British society. In his message on the onset of the holy month wishing Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak,” he said  “British Muslims are at the top of every field from our biggest businesses to our precious health service to our Houses of Parliament - and yes - to the Cabinet I lead.” “I’d like to send my very best wishes to everyone observing the holy month of Ramadan. “It’s a hugely important time as Muslims in Britain and across the world mark the foundation of their faith,” he said according to a statement issued by British High Commission here Friday.    “As friends and families come together, in contemplation and in fasting, we are reminded of those Muslim values - those British values - of community, family and charity. “You can see them in centuries past when Muslim soldiers served bravely alongside their comrades - from the trenches of the First World War to the skies of the Second World War.” He said British Muslims gave more to charity than any other faith group in Britain  “fulfilling their sacred duty of Zakat by  making a real difference to lives blighted by conflict and disaster.” “I’ve talked a lot about One Nation about Britain being a country where everyone can get on, whatever their background and wherever they’re from. British Muslims embody that spirit. “They prove that this can be a country where success is determined not by your colour, community or creed but a place where you can go as far as your talents will take you.” “So as families, friends and communities come together at Iftar each evening, I hope all of them and everyone else across Britain will reflect on the universal values that Ramadan represents, and the contribution that British Muslims make to our country, said Cameron.  The British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in his message said  his country was proud of its “strong links in the Muslim world, through our partnerships overseas and through the vibrant and diverse Muslim communities in the UK.”  “Ramadan is also a time for peaceful reflection and acts of compassion and charity. Many across the Muslim world will spend this Ramadan separated from their families and communities by conflict and poverty.  The UK will continue to support those in need across the world through our generous humanitarian and development aid.  And we will continue to work for a world that is peaceful, secure and prosperous for all.” British High Commissioner to Islamabad Philip Barton in his message has sent his warmest wishes to Muslims in Pakistan  and across the world at the start of the holy month of Ramadan.  “I would like to send my sincere greetings to everyone observing the Holy month of Ramadan. Muslims in Pakistan, the UK and around the world will sacrifice the day-to-day luxuries that we take for granted; pray for people in need; and fast to show devotion to God.”

National Geographic to launch film on Malala in 171 countries

ISLAMABAD: National Geographic Channel will air feature documentary ‘He Named Me Malala’ about Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai in 171 countries in 45 languages, joining the global launch for the film.  The film will be released in October. In 2012, Malala was targeted by the militants and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school van in Swat Valley. The film will be promoted via Nat Geo through  all of  the company’s resources of including through the National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Digital Media, National Geographic Education Programs, National Geographic Kids,  Digital Journal reported. “This is a film that you leave not only feeling incredibly inspired but truly wanting to make a difference,” National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe said.  “As leaders in bringing stories of global importance to the largest audience possible, it is more than just an honor to be part of this project, I feel it is our duty. That is why we are joining this project as true partners, from the  global theatrical release through our eventual television broadcast, and dedicating our collective resources to bring Malala’s important journey and advocacy for girls’ education to millions of people worldwide,” Monroe said.  The film’s launch also will coincide with an international advocacy and fundraising campaign in partnership with the Malala Fund, Malala’s nonprofit organization that works to empower adolescent girls globally through a quality secondary education.

June 19, 2015

10 Afghan soldiers, 70 militants killed in newest military operations

KABUL : At least 10 soldiers and 70 militants killed in newest military operations across the country, Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday. A statement issued by the Ministry of Defense states that the 10 soldiers from Afghan National Army were killed due to insurgent fire and landmine explosions in past 48 hours. The statement adds that 70 insurgents were also killed and 10 others wounded during military operations in the past 48 hours. The operations were conducted in Nijrab District of Kapisa, Shawak of Paktika, Surab, Chinar Tu, Derawoud, Charchino and Khas Urozgan of Urozgan province, Juram, Baharak, Yamgan and Wardouj districts of Badakhshan, Suzhma Qala of Sar-i-Pul, Kajaki of Helmand, Qaisar of Faryab and in the jurisdictions of Herat and Nangarhar provinces. Security forces confessed heavy and light weapons and defused Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during these operations but the statement issued by the Ministry of Defense does not contain a specific number of them.

Tainted liquor kills 84 in Mumbai

NEW DELHI : The death toll from drinking tainted liquor in a Mumbai slum climbed to 84 in the worst incident of its kind in more than a decade, police said Saturday. Another 31 people, 13 of them in serious condition, were being treated in hospitals after drinking the cheap liquor Wednesday night in Malad, said Deputy Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni. They fell sick immediately. Malad is a northern part of India ’s financial capital. Kulkarni said the police have arrested five people who transported and sold the tainted liquor to poor workers. Victims first started to fall ill on Wednesday morning after consuming the illegal booze and patients were still being admitted to hospital on Saturday, the commissioner said. The Press Trust of India news agency said eight police personnel have been suspended for negligence of duty. Deaths from illegally brewed alcohol are common in India because the poor cannot afford licensed liquor. Illicit liquor is often spiked with chemicals such as pesticides to increase its potency. In 2004, 104 people had died after drinking spurious liquor in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area.

Afghan president extends parliament tenure

KABUL : Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has extended the tenure of Wolesi Jirga or the lower house of parliament, said a statement of the Presidential Palace released late on Friday. “In line with the constitution and the advice of the Supreme Court, the National Assembly of Afghanistan as a legislative body would continue to serve till announcing the result of the next parliamentary elections,” the statement said. The date for holding parliamentary elections would be announced within a month, the statement said. As per the constitution, the five-year term of Wolesi Jirga ends on June 21 but since the government has failed to hold parliamentary elections on time due to reasons including financial problems, the president extended its tenure. Meanwhile, political circles in Afghanistan have been demanding electoral reforms to ensure transparency in the coming elections

Pakistan tops list of countries observing decrease in terror attacks: US report

LAHORE : Pakistan has topped the list of countries that observed decrease in terror attacks according to the 2014 report issued by the US State Department. Report acknowledged Pakistan army’s success in operation against all the banned terrorist outfits including the Taliban and Haqqani network. It said that Pakistan saw the maximum decrease in terror attacks. According to international media, US State Department has released the report that says that 95 countries of the world faced terror attacks during 2014. Overall increase in the number of terrorist attacks was 35% while the number of deaths increased by 81%. Iraq and Afghanistan topped the list where terrorist attacks increased while Pakistan topped the list of countries where number of terror attacks decreased. Though the report says that sectarian and terrorist attacks have not ended in Pakistan yet the decrease is quite visible. Report also acknowledged Pakistan ’s success in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and also gave Pakistan the credit for targeting all the banned outfits. It is pertinent to mention here that the United States has been repeatedly blaming Pakistan of playing favorites while going after the terrorists and even of ‘double gaming’. However, the report published by the US State Department is a proof that even the US now acknowledges Pakistan ’s firm resolve to end the menace of terrorism from the region. Last week, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa had also tweeted about the success achieved by Pakistan army in Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said that a total of 2763 terrorists had been killed during one year of the operation while 837 terrorist hideouts had been destoryed by the Pakistan army.

Pakistan wants diplomatic solution to Yemen crisis: President

MADINA MUNAWARA: President Mamnoon Hussain has unequivocally stated that Pakistan stands by Saudi Arabia and would not accept any move of the Houthi rebels. In an interview in Madina Munawara, he said Pakistan wants diplomatic solution of the Yemen crisis. He said a large Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia serves as a bridge between the two countries. Mamnoon Hussain said deep rooted relations between the two brotherly countries are based on strong foundations. He said Pakistani people have great love for the Haramain Shareefain. To a question, the President said law and order situation in Karachi has improved after the operation. He said Rangers and Sindh police will cleanse Karachi from criminals and extortionists. About Kashmir issue, the President said both Pakistan and India will have to come to the negotiation table for resolution this issue. Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain visited Roza-e-Rasool (SAW) in Madina-e-Munawara along with his family members. He offered prayers and Nawafil at Riazul Jannah. He prayed for integrity and stability in the country.

Dar, Olsen exchange views on enhancing Pakistan-US economic ties

ISLAMABAD : US Ambassador Richard G Olson Saturday called on Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here and discussed issues of mutual interest. Ambassador Olson was accompanied by US Embassy’s Economic Counsellor, Daniela Ballard, said a Finance Ministry press release. Both sides exchanged views on the schedule of meetings of Pak-US Working Group on Economy and Finance as well as Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council. They viewed that these events had great significance in furthering Pak-US economic cooperation and agreed that schedule of both the meetings would be decided with mutual consultations. Pakistan will host the Working Group meeting while TIFA would  likely be held in the United States . There was also discussion on International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings scheduled to be held in Lima , Peru in October 2015. The minister briefed the US Ambassador about the budget proceedings  in the Parliament and said that the government had accommodated maximum number of suggestions and recommendations of the parliamentarians and other stakeholders to finalize the budget 2015-16. The government, he said, believed in passing the budget with consensus of all political parties. Secretary Finance Dr. Waqar Masood, Additional Secretary, Tariq Mahmood Pasha and Joint Secretary, Awais Manzoor were also present in the meeting.

US citizen behind 2009 Lahore suicide attack jailed

WASHINGTON : A US court has sentenced its citizen to seven and half years in prison over financially assisting terrorists to carry out suicide attack on Inter-Services Intelligence’s Lahore office on May 27, 2009 . Riaz Qadir Khan, 51, a resident of Portland , Oregon State ,was indicted in 2013 and he confessed in February that he supported the terrorists for Lahore suicide attack in which 30 people were killed and over 300 others injured. Khan had informed the court that he gave away approximately $2500 to Ali Jalil, a citizen of Maldives , who was one of three suicide bombers who carried out the deadly attack. Jalil got training for the attack on the amount provided by Khan, who also confessed that he supported the wives of Jalil financially, while knowing that providing such assistance would hinder and prevent the apprehension of Jalil’s wives and other who have helped in the attack, prosecutors said.

Sarfraz, Shafiq, Babar turn the game for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A brilliantly unorthodox 96 from Sarfraz Ahmed and a seventh Test century from Asad Shafiq turned the Galle Test around on a fourth day that exposed Sri Lanka’s bowling limitations. Having been five down and 182 behind at the start of the fourth morning, while Pakistan leading with 117 runs. Zulfiqar Babar piling more misery on the host bowlers by scoring a maiden Test fifty in the company of the immovable Shafiq. Sarfaraz struck 13 fours in his 86-ball blitz; the lofted drive that took Shafiq from 96 to 100 was only his fourth. Their contrasting methods proved equally effective during their 139-run stand. Shafiq’s defence was impeccable, and he minimised Sri Lanka ’s hopes of inroads at his end even when Sarfraz was blazing away at the other. Shafiq didn’t change his game too much while batting with the lower order; he simply took the singles on offer against the well-spread fields and let his partners do the bulk of the scoring. Shafiq scored 51 runs in the post-lunch session; between them, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah and Babar made 88, profiting from some tired, unimaginative Sri Lankan bowling. The seamers bounced the lower-order batsmen, and while there was one moment of acute discomfort - Dhammika Prasad smacking the back of Yasir Shah’s helmet while he took his eyes off the ball - the tactic also leaked runs. Yasir pulled hooked to the square leg boundary, and Zulfiqar Babar backed away from his stumps to shovel the short ball over midwicket and mid-on or carve the ball square on the off side. Babar grew in confidence as he spent more time at the crease, and soon brought up his fifty by launching the offspinner Dilruwan Perera over long on. By the time the umpires took the bails off to signal tea, the lower order had added 155 alongside Shafiq. But they couldn’t have done it without Sarfraz, who dramatically altered the state of the game with his thrilling attack in the morning session. Last year, Sarfraz was the only Pakistan batsman who got on top of Rangana Herath during their tour of Sri Lanka . Where his team-mates were consumed by the thought of survival, he was constantly looking for runs, and challenging him with his unorthodoxy, often taking guard outside leg stump. He made three fifties and a hundred in the two Tests, and the confidence from all those runs was apparent right from the third over of the morning, when he took a big stride forward to sweep Herath to the backward square leg boundary and followed it up with nimble footwork two balls later to get down the track and inside the line to drive inside-out through extra cover. Sarfraz had a unique and effective response to all of Sri Lanka ’s bowlers. He stood outside leg stump when the offspinner Dilruwan Perera bowled from around the wicket and took an off-stump guard when he bowled from over the wicket, enabling him to get to the pitch of the ball easier when he tossed it up wide of off stump. Against the fast bowlers, who hinted at reverse swing in the first hour, he took guard outside his crease - sometimes six inches outside, sometimes so far ahead of it that his feet may have straddled a second crease twice the distance from the stumps. From this position he clipped Dhammika Prasad against the around-the-wicket angle, and then used the pace to dab the ball to the third man boundary when he changed angle and dug it in short. The scoring was rapid, comfortably over four an over even though Shafiq relied almost entirely on his defence at the other end. Sarfraz was on 15 and Shafiq on 14 when the day began. When Shafiq struck his first boundary of the day - a rasping square-cut off Nuwan Pradeep in the ninth over of the morning - he moved to 23. Sarfraz by that time had waltzed past 50. Both batsmen looked entirely secure in their methods, and Sri Lanka ’s bowling - as cause or consequence - seemed to lack bite. Sri Lanka ’s tactics were also a touch puzzling, particularly their use of their main weapon. Herath went out of the attack after only one full over (and the remainder of the third evening’s incomplete final over), and by the time he returned, both batsmen were comfortably set, and the deficit had been cut down to 116. The same method that had brought Sarfraz his runs also led to his downfall when he was within reach of his fourth Test hundred. Prasad sent down a full ball outside off and Sarfraz stretched out to try and sweep him. It would have been breathtakingly audacious had it come off, but he only managed to drag the ball off his inside edge onto off stump.

Indian police arrest Syed Ali Gilani in Srinagar

ISLAMABAD: Indian police arrested the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, along with his associates outside his residence in Srinagar, on Friday , when he tried to lead a march towards Sopore town.  According to Kashmir Media Service, Ali Gilani and other Hurriyet leaders including the All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabbir Ahmad Shah had given the call for the march to register protest against the recent killing of pro-freedom activists by Indian armed agents in the town.  The police shifted Syed Ali Gilani to Humhama Police Station.  The authorities placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar and Altaf Ahmad Shah under house arrest in Srinagar and lodged Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Mukhtar Ahmed Waza, Hilal Ahmed War and Shahid-ul-Islam at different police stations. The actions have been taken to stop the leaders from visiting  Sopore and expressing solidarity with the families of  the pro-freedom activists who were recently martyred by  Indian armed agents in different areas of Sopore. On the other hand, the puppet authorities have imposed curfew-like restrictions in Srinagar and Sopore to thwart the march.

India toxic alcohol kills 35 in Mumbai

MUMBAI: At least 35 people have been killed after consuming toxic alcohol in India’s western city of Mumbai, local police say. They say residents of a slum in the Malad area fell ill after drinking the alcohol on Wednesday morning. More than 20 people are being treated in hospitals, amid fears that the death toll could rise. Toxic alcohol deaths are a regular occurrence in India, where people often drink cheap country liquor. One suspect has been detained in the latest case. Tayra Khan, wife of one of the victims, told the Mid-Day newspaper that her husband was admitted to hospital early on Thursday after “he complained of vomiting and pain in the stomach”. “He died three hours later, leaving me and my three little children alone.” At least 29 people were killed after consuming toxic alcohol in Uttar Pradesh state in January. India has witnessed many other incidents of toxic alcohol deaths in the past:

Go back to earlier page

_______________________________________

Back to homepage

Exporting to Canada?

Are you in the Fashion industry? Lots of restrictions had been amended on imports...sell your products and services directly to Canadian Buyers, here’s  our  Previous Issue of Canadian Fashion & Textile Buyers Guide.   Order your copy NOW of the NEW 2015  up-dated version with current listing of the Buyers Guide and don’t forget to inquire about the Industry Textile Book used world-wide beneficial for manufacturers, designers, teachers and students at US$50 per copy. We accept payment through Pay Pal.

______________________________________________

FOR COMMENTS ON TODAY'S NEWS PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK TO editor@montrealtribune.com

Important Notice To The Tribune Viewers! We Delete Thousands of Mails Everyday! If you were to send us e-mails, please make sure your identity is properly shown including the subject you are relaying.. It’s our policy not to open attachments which also applies to all our correspondents and contributors.

"Check Our Advertising Rate Card"  

It is very important to note following the simple payment instruction at the bottom of the rate card will facilitate posting your ad in The Montreal Tribune. We also accept payment through Pay Pal. 

All commercial ads found on and within this site are picked and selected by our affiliates in the United States of America. For Canadian and Overseas advertising, please send your inquiries to our general agents for Canada,

_______________________________________

This is a non profit, non religious, non political, & non racial online website and here's how you can help us stay on line, advertise or be one of our sponsors.   Since we download update news by the hour please view "Yesterday's Front Page".  Archives are only maintained 30 days. You may request copies beyond this time line, if available. Thanks  

In cooperative Link Service with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Headline News

All Montreal Tribune Correspondents including those from Overseas are issued Press IDs, and could only be used on assignments, for verification purposes please contact the editor@montreltribune.com

Copyright © 1990 - 2015 All Rights Reserved.

The Montreal Tribune ISSN 1186-2165 ® This is the front section of the on-line pages of 

www.montrealtribune.com

  Informative, Innovative & Truthful. This site is non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, and non-racial news organization.

^{Staff   Business   Letters   Feedback   Links   Investment Inq}

Signed articles are the responsibility of the writers and not those of the publisher and editors of this publication.

Any communication concerning this site should be addressed to the webmaster@montrealtribune.com

It is very important to note that following the simple payment instruction at the bottom of the rate card will facilitate posting your ad in The Montreal Tribune. We are strictly not accepting ads on Dating Service, Multi-Level Marketing known as MLM, Porno, and Gambling.