مسلمانوں کے خلاف زہر اگلنے والے نے اسلام قبول کرلیا

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گھریلو ملازمہ پولیس تشد دسے معذور، اہلکار معطل

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پاکستانی اسٹیج پر راج کرنے والی یہ معروف اداکارہ آج کل بھیک مانگنے پر کیوں مجبور ہے؟

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High level Afghan delegation in Pakistan for talks: FO

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson, Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that Afghan delegation including Interior minister and chief of National Directorate of Security (NDS) is on a visit to Pakistan to hold talks on common interest.

Dr Faisal shared this on his twitter account on Wednesday. Dr Faisal added that earlier Afghan government had requested that a high level delegation would like to visit Pakistan with a message from Afghan President and for discussions about cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Officials of both the countries will have talks today.

In the recent weeks, a new wave of terrorist attacks has hit Afghanistan, as the Taliban and Daesh increased their terrorist activities against the Kabul government.

Earlier on Monday, the Afghan capital suffered its third major assault in recent days when a suicide attack on an Afghan army battalion killed at least 11 soldiers and wounded 16.

Similarly on Saturday, a Taliban suicide attacker driving an explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul, killing at least 103 people and wounding 235, in one of the worst bombings in the city in recent years.

Moreover, on January 20, Taliban fighters stormed Kabul’s landmark Intercontinental Hotel and killed at least 25 people the majority of them foreigners in an assault lasting more than 12 hours.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the terror attacks and conveyed its condolences at the bloodshed.

 

 

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CPEC: Will the US Opposition Matter?

Col (R) Muhammad Hanif
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a mega project of approximately 3000 kilometers length comprising the construction of a network of roads, railways, laying of fiber optic internet/communication cable, construction of Gwadar Seaport and Airport and nine special economic zones (SEZs), connecting Kashghar city of Western China with Gwadar port city of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The project is being jointly constructed by China and Pakistan under an agreement with China’s initially announced investment of $46 billion which was later enhanced to $ 62 billion. CPEC is part of One Belt and One Road project, now named as B&R project, which is a grand regional connectivity project, comprising land corridors and sea routes, which China has announced to connect various regions such as Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, East Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Europe.
The B&R project is an economic connectivity undertaking based on inter-regional investment oriented agricultural and industrial development to higher production targets, increase economic growth and enhancement of exports of many countries. China has termed this project as part of the shared neighborhood and destinies. The CPEC is a pilot project of B&R, which gives China an access to the Indian Ocean for trade through an alternative and much shorter (3000 kms long) and cheaper route as compared with the traditional trade route of 12000 kms length passing through tension-prone South China Sea and Malacca Straits, being subject to closure in case of tension. CPEC as part of the B&R project will also facilitate China’s investment and trade with almost the entire world to make it an economic superpower.
To Pakistan the CPEC has brought in a huge Chinese investment for infrastructure development including a network of roads, energy producing projects and industrial development and it will enable Pakistan to earn substantial sums of transit fee on account of huge trade volumes of inter regional trade passing through it. To various regions as mentioned earlier the CPEC will provide a facility to participate in the investment and trade related economic development of other regions thus earning a substantial amount of trade benefits and profits. In other words CPEC is an economic oriented project in which many regions and countries are interested to join to get economic benefits for enhancing welfare of their people.
Like India, the US also publicly opposes the CPEC Project, knowing quite well that it is a magnificent economic venture for the benefit of the people of large number of countries. The Trump Administration has opposed the CPEC publicly saying that the Corridor will be passing through the disputed territory. The fact remains that the US knows that it is India that has been refusing to hold a plebiscite in Jammu & Kashmir as per United Nations Security Council Resolutions of 1948 to give a chance to the people of the State to express their will whether they wanted to join Pakistan or India. India is also itself undertaking the construction of various projects in the Indian-occupied Kashmir, which shows that India’s opposition to the CPEC is legally not tenable and it is doing it just to deny its economic benefits to Pakistan. Hence US opposition on the same grounds is also not logical. In the real sense it appears that the US is opposing the CPEC linking it with the geopolitics, but in the process it also appeases India, its strategic partner in Asia. However, the question arises as to what could be the impact of US opposition to the CPEC. And if the US is really serious, then what it could do to fail the project and will it succeed in this venture.
If the US really wants to oppose the CPEC, it could do it politically by trying to pressurize Pakistan and also by struggling to isolate it at international level. Because of various reasons it is unlikely that US will be able to discourage Pakistan from participating in the project. Since CPEC has the potential to provide huge economic benefits to various regions and countries, as already explained, and many countries of Central Asia, West Asia, EU, Middle East, East Asia and even Russia have either already joined the CPEC or will join it, they would not like to support the US in opposing the CPEC and in pressurizing or isolating Pakistan. Even the US allies of the EU, East Asia and Middle East would not like to support its stance on CPEC in view of their own benefits linked to the CPEC. The US will also not get worthwhile support in the UNSC to take measures to oppose the CPEC. Hence, it can be safely concluded that the US will not succeed in political opposition of the CPEC.
The second method to harm the progress of the CPEC could be that the US decides to join India in impeding the progress of CPEC by creating security issues by disrupting peace of the areas through which CPEC is passing, by sponsoring terrorist acts in Pakistan. It is more likely that in view of Pakistan’s important role in building peace in Afghanistan, the US would not like to disturb its stability in order to disrupt the CPEC. However, if the US decides to support India on this account using Afghan soil, there is no likelihood that the US can succeed in this kind of disruptive activities because Pakistan is quite capable of countering such a game plan in view of the vast experience its military has attained in countering terrorism.
Moreover, since the people of Balochistan will be getting maximum economic benefits out of the CPEC, they will not cooperate with the hostile forces in destabilizing Balochistan. In this context many dissident Ferrari groups are already surrendering their arms. Therefore, it can be said with surety that any hostile forces creating instability in Pakistan will also fail and CPEC will continue to progress. Hence, in the final analysis it seems more appropriate for the US not to oppose the CPEC and instead of undertaking any such venture it should also advise India to resolve the Jammu & Kashmir dispute with Pakistan and both the US and India should join the CPEC to draw their expected share of the economic benefits of trade with Central Asia and beyond.

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CPEC: Potential game changer for Pakistan and the region

M Fazal Elahi

Being termed as a ‘game changer’ not only for Pakistan but the entire region ‘CPEC’ is in the process of speedy implementation, despite all the hue and cry being raised by vested interests. The over $45billion Chinese investment coming into this gargantuan Pak-China venture has no parallel in Pak-China history of mutual cooperation. A huge investment of this magnitude has, in fact, never ever been made before in Pakistan by any affluent country of the world. In view of this fact CPEC will indeed be a dream come true, if successfully executed. In spite of knowing the importance of this gigantic project and the mammoth contribution it, once completed, would make towards the economic growth of not only Pakistan but also that of the other countries of the region detractors of this high profile project, at home and abroad, are hell bent on doing whatever they can to sabotage it. Vested groups, political and otherwise, from within the country are creating hurdles to retard the progress of the project. Pakistan’s ever-belligerent neighbor India too, for obvious reasons, does not want this project to see the light of the day. As usual, India seems to be deeply engrossed in finding ways and means to malign the project by raising undue hue and cry. The belligerent Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is believed to have told the Chinese leadership, during one of his visits to China last year, that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is ‘unacceptable’ to India. The Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, in a news conference held in the Indian Capital the same year and published in Pakistan’s print media, vociferously stated that Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has clearly told Beijing that the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was totally unacceptable to India. She further enunciated that the Indian government summoned the Chinese envoy over the multibillion dollar investment in Pakistan and the Indian envoy in Beijing had also raised the issue with the Chinese authorities. This audacious stance of India abundantly endorses the concerns expressed by Pakistan, time and again, that India is creating unrest in Balochistan, and elsewhere in the country, with the expressed intent of sabotaging CPEC that possessed every potential to be a ‘game changer’ for the region. One only wishes had India, for once, sincerely looked beyond its self-interest and focused on the larger interest of the region it would have brought the much desired economic stability not only to Pakistan but also to other countries of the region including India. Yet another factor that seriously threatens CPEC is terrorism. Security of the Chinese nationals engaged in executing the project in different parts of the country is also a cause for major concern. Fortunately, this extremely vital issue is being well taken care of by the gallant Pakistan Army which has pledged to provide fool-proof security to the Chinese workforce working on different segments of the project at different locations. Pakistan Army has raised a Special Security Division (SSD) for the security of the CPEC. It is indeed satisfying to note that the country’s security forces were fully aware of all campaigns against the Corridor and are fully prepared to pay any price to turn the long-cherished dream of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into reality. CPEC, once completed, will turn out to be a game changer for the entire region. Unambiguously, it possesses all the potential to transform the life of the people of our part of the world as well as the people of the region and beyond.

It is extremely vital that the political forces in the country make conscious and concerted efforts not to politicize this project for political gains. They should rise above personal gains and ensure smooth implementation of this project for the collective benefit of this nation. They should realize that CPEC is an opportunity in centuries and out-and-out endeavors should be made to avail this great opportunity, by all means and under all circumstances. Cohesion in thought and action, vis-à-vis CPEC, of people belonging to every stratum of the society, including the leaders, within the country is the only way through which the ill-intent of the outside forces unremittingly operating against the project can be effectively countered. To avoid controversies and ensure that all the provinces of the country which are the potential beneficiaries of the project are on the same page, those at the helm in the government and are currently the principal executor of the project should make certain that no injustice is done and due share of the provinces with regard to the project is duly given to them.

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Intense earthquake tremors rattle Pakistan, Afghanistan

Intense earthquake tremors felt in various parts of Pakistan including Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The magnitude of the earthquake is 6.1 on the Richter scale, according to the US Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 178km in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan. Tremors were felt across the region including India and Afghanistan. Hundreds […]

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Spinners strike after brisk Bangladesh start

Sri Lankan spinners removed openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes after Bangladesh made a promising start in the first of the two-Test series in Chittagong on Wednesday. Bangladesh reached 120 for two at lunch on day one as Tamim made 52 off 53 balls and shared a 72-run opening stand with Kayes, who scored 40, […]

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Nawaz, Maryam issued notices on contempt petition

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to the ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanullah on a contempt petition filed by Advocate Azahar Siddiqui. The notices were served on the petition that sought a strict action against the said persons as they “commit contempt of court […]

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Melania Trump back in public eye for State of the Union

First Lady Melania Trump made a very visible return to the public stage Tuesday after weeks of privacy, as she attended her husband’s maiden State of the Union address before Congress. The enigmatic wife of President Donald Trump emerged publicly for the first time since she fed the Washington rumor mill by cancelling her trip […]

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SC to hear medical student murder case today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme will on Wednesday conduct hearing of the suo moto case regarding the brutal murder of Asma Rani. The victim was an MBBS student at a medical college in Abbottabad. She was shot thrice by the accused, Mujahidullah Afridi, over marriage refusal. On Tuesday, Cheif Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took a […]

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North Korea slams US as ‘gross violator of human rights’

North Korea has denounced US President Donald Trump’s administration as a “gross violator of human rights”, its state media reported Wednesday. The official Korean Central News Agency released its English-language report on Pyongyang’s annual white paper on US human rights violations as Trump began his State of the Union speech, in which he condemned the […]

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Varsities directed to withdraw additional charge from officers

LAHORE: The Punjab governor on Tuesday directed all public sector universities to withdraw officers appointed on look after/additional charge of academic and administrative posts with immediate effect. According to a letter written to the universities, the act of assignment of look after/additional charge of the posts of deans, registrars, treasurers and controllers of examinations is […]

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Opp assails govt over policies for employees, teachers

LAHORE: Legislators from both the opposition benches on Tuesday strongly criticised the government over its failure to deal with problems facing government employees as well as fill vacant teaching posts in the province. The Punjab Assembly session on Tuesday started an hour and 13 minutes late from its scheduled time. The session was chaired by […]

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Punjab Benevolent Fund urged to review welfare schemes for employees

LAHORE: Additional Chief Secretary Omer Rasul on Tuesday directed the Punjab Benevolent Fund secretary to review the existing welfare schemes for the serving and retired government employees and their families. He directed the Punjab Benevolent Fund secretary to hire the services of financial and investment experts from private sector in this regard and a comprehensive […]

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HED minister reviews PU performance

LAHORE: Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani on Tuesday chaired a performance evaluation meeting at the Punjab University. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zakriya Zakir, Registrar Dr Khalid Khan, all deans, directors, hostel wardens and representatives from HED were present in the meeting held at the university’s executive club. The provincial minister formulated a five-member […]

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One killed, nine injured as earthquake jolts parts of country

F.P. Report

ISLAMAB-AD: An earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitudes hit different parts of the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad and others on Wednesday.

According to private news channel, a minor girl was killed and nine others were injured in Lasbela after a house collapsed.

The quake also jolted parts of neighboring countries, India and Pakistan. The quake’s epicenter was Afghanistan-Hindukush region and its intensity has been gauged at 6.1 on the Richter scale.

The people came out onto streets after the tremors.

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CM launches EU funded 68 million programme for improved nutrition in Sindh

KARACHI: The Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah launched the European Union’s (EU) funded ‘Programme for Improved Nutrition in Sindh (PINS)’ today. The primary focus of the programme is to sustainably improve the nutritional status of children under five years and of pregnant and lactating Women (PLW) and will be implemented in ten districts of Sindh namely Shikarpur, Thatta, Kambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Dadu, Jamshoro, Matiari, Sajawal, Tando Allahyar and Tando Muhammad Khan.

This four-year programme would specifically focus on building the capacities of the Government of Sindh for an effective implementation of its multi-sectoral nutrition policy while providing direct assistance to significantly and rapidly reducing malnutrition in rural Sindh.

Addressing the launching ceremony, the Chief Minister said malnutrition has become a major issue for the province and the situation is very alarming. Only sincere and concerted efforts could control the situation. Sindh government is committed to take up these challenges on priority. “Government of Sindh aims at reducing the stunting rate from the existing 48 percent to 40 percent by 2021 in the province,” he said. Acknowledging that with PINS, the European Union is supporting the Sindh government in addressing this key issue of malnutrition, the Chief Minister thanked EU and resolved Sindh government will continue to work with EU and other donor organisations in the future.

“The fact saddens me that half of Sindh’s women and children suffer from stunting and malnutrition, which is a great burden. We have to make this programme successful for our province,” he said.

Overall, the Sindh province has the highest rate of child and maternal undernutrition, 40 percent and 62 percent respectively; child anaemia 73 percent, and food insecurity standing at 72 percent in Pakistan.

The programme will be implemented by Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO) and Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), with Action Against Hunger (ACF) and Conseil Sante as programme partners.

The Ambassador of European Union His Excellency Mr. Jean-François Cautain said malnutrition and stunting is a key issue. With this not only children are suffering but it has an impact on society and overall growth of Sindh. Mentioning other programmes of EU on nutrition and poverty reduction, the Ambassador said that the EU’s support to fight malnutrition is one element, but its important to combine different interventions and enhance coordination along with the Sindh government to get the best outcomes of EU support. “Support to improve nutrition status in Sindh is part of EU’s global commitment to reduce stunting at global level,” he said. “Our objective is to reduce stunting at least by 7 million children around the world by 2025.”
Earlier addressing the ceremony, Coordinator to Chief Minister Sindh on Nutrition Mir Hussain Ali said that over the four years of its interventions, the 68 million Euro programme will focus on capacity building of the Government of Sindh and other stakeholders on nutrition-related policy and strategy development.
“Treatment of malnutrition – Severe Acute Malnutrition from identification, outpatient therapeutic programme care to nutrition stabilisation centres according to protocols – in health facilities supported by an outreach programme to screen children and women, referral system for children’s follow up, focus on Infant Young Child Feeding for preventive work at facilities particularly for children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition, behaviour change communication programme for improved child care, and nutrition specific sanitation and feeding practices are some of the key objectives that the programme would work to achieve through its interventions,” he highlighted
Under the programme, small farmers with less than five acres of land will also be supported for improved crop production through introduction of climate-smart crop production technologies, training and provision of inputs.
Chairman Sindh Planning & Development Board Mr. Muhammad Waseem also thank EU for extending support to fight malnutrition in ten districts of Sindh.
Chairman RSPN Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan in his vote of thanks, appreciated the support of EU to the Programme for Improved Nutrition in Sindh. He said that to make an intervention a success and ensure that impact is long lasting, engaging organised communities, who are a social pillar of the state, is crucial as they are the only one who can reach out to every household and, once organised, they can achieve anything.
Provincial Minister for Planning & Development Mir Hazar Khan Bajarani, provincial secretaries, Sindh government and EU officials, CEOs and management of RSPs and PINS partner organisations, development professionals, academia and journalists attended the event.
Background:
Pakistan has the third highest number of children under five affected by stunting in the world – 45 percent of children under five are stunted that makes a total of 9.6 million – rising to 63 percent in the rural areas of Sindh. Under five mortality is 89 out of every 1000 live births indicating that one out of every 11 children born will not survive until their fifth birthday. Other national nutrition statistics are equally worrying.
Pakistan is one of the five world countries where children growing up healthy are in a minority and one of the fifteen countries making no progress in reducing stunting.
The burden of under-nutrition is borne by the rural poor as evidenced by the fact that the ratio of stunting among poorest to stunting among richest has grown from 1.7 to 2.7 between 1990 and 2012.
This undernutrition is accompanied by some of the highest levels of maternal and child micronutrient deficiencies called as ‘Hidden Hunger’.

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‘Kremlin List’ signals breakdown of Russia-US ties: Senator

Washington

Russian officials have slammed the US for publishing a blacklist of senior Russian government officials, with a senator saying the move is tantamount to a breakdown of already tense relations between the two sides.
The US Treasury Department late Monday released a long-awaited list of 114 Russian politicians and 96 “oligarchs” close to the Kremlin, fulfilling a demand by Congress that the US punish Moscow for allegedly interfering in the 2016 US election.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, head of Russian Security Service (FSB) Aleksandr Bortnikov, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, as well as all Russian ministers, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu are among the sanctioned political figures.
“You can see that de facto everybody [included on the list] is called an enemy of the US,” Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, stated on Tuesday.
Peskov said that the text and the headline of the document are written in accordance with the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, signed into law by US President Donald Trump in 2017.
He said that the publication of the so-called “Kremlin List” may damage “the image and reputation of our firms, our businessmen, our politicians, and of members of the leadership.”
He said Russia would analyze the document, which he described as “unprecedented” in its scope before drawing further conclusions.
The Kremlin also indicated that it did not view Washington’s announcement that it would not impose any new sanctions on Russia for now as any sort of reassurance.
Peskov said the Kremlin noted that new sanctions might still be imposed later. PressTV-US bans, bid to meddle in election: Russia
Russia says the expected US sanctions report is an attempt to influence Russia’s presidential election in March.
Earlier, top Russian senator Vladimir Dzhabarov said that the move amounts to almost a complete breakdown of Moscow-Washington ties.
“Formally our countries have relations, but including in the sanctions list almost all our country’s leadership means that those relations automatically break down,” Dzhabarov, who is First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs noted.
The “Kremlin List” also names Russian businessmen — from the heads of the biggest banks to heads of major transport companies — including Alisher Usmanov and Roman Abramovich.
Ties between Moscow and Washington soured after US officials accused Russia of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Russia and the United States also have differences about the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. —Agencies

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Israel ‘gradually reopening’ embassy in Jordan

Jerusalem

The Israeli regime says it is “gradually reopening” its embassy in Jordan following a months-long row over the shooting death of two Jordanians by an Israeli embassy guard in Amman.
The Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nashon said on Tuesday that there would be a “gradual reopening” of the embassy in the Jordanian capital and that no ambassador had yet been appointed to the post in the Arab country.
The Israeli embassy in Amman shut down last July after two Jordanians were gunned down by the embassy guard, prompting the return to Israel of the regime’s ambassador along with the Israeli guard involved in the deadly shooting.
That guard, who claimed that he shot the Jordanians in self-defense, received a hero’s welcome on his return, further enraging the Jordanians.
The spat led to break in ties between Tel Aviv and Amman. Israel and Jordan signed a Washington-sponsored peace agreement in 1994 to cooperate in military and other fields, largely toward the interests of the Israeli regime.
Jordan is one of the only two Arab governments that have open diplomatic ties with Israel. The latest development came after the office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a statement issued earlier this month that the regime’s embassy in Amman would resume full operations immediately.
The announcement was followed by a Jordanian statement saying that Israel had formally apologized for the deaths of the two Jordanians killed by the Israeli security guard.
Israeli media cited Netanyahu as saying at the time that Tel Aviv has “a strong interest in this relationship.” The reports also pointed out that Israel would compensate the Jordanian government but not the families of the deceased.
Israeli media also cited two official sources as saying last week that Tel Aviv would not prosecute the guard, as had long been demanded by Jordan.
Instead, the reports further cited a diplomatic source as saying that Israeli foreign ministry and the Shin Bet intelligence agency would review protocols surrounding the actions taken by the guard and his conduct “and share the results with the Jordanians.—Agencies

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Chinese culture beginning to make mark in global forums

Our Correspondent

Beijing

Chinese writer Liu Cixin attends the 4th International Science Fiction Conference in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China´s Sichuan Province, November 10, 2017. Photo: IC
When Danish author Tina Lynge Hansen published fantasy web novel Blue Phoenix, she said it was inspired by the Chinese fantasy genre xianxia, which literally translates as “immortal hero.”
“It is a story that has caused me to spend countless hours researching Chinese culture and Taoism with the hope of getting a perfect understanding about the basics,” she said in a post on fictionpress.com.
Her novel is just one example of how Chinese culture is being acknowledged by more and more people worldwide, who are eager to know more about the country than just the Great Wall or Jackie Chan.
Today, more forms of Chinese culture are resonating with people from around the world. The world’s leading Internet-based video-on-demand service, Netflix, acquired the hit Chinese detective drama Day and Night at the end of last year and plans to make it available in all of its over 190 active markets.
In addition to Day and Night, Netflix has also streamed Nirvana in Fire, Ode to Joy, and Empresses in the Palace, among others.
Wolf Warrior 2 led the overseas box office figures for the nearly 100 Chinese movies released internationally in 2017. Chinese movies earned 4.25 billion yuan (about $662.7 million) in foreign markets last year, 11.19 percent more than the year before, according to China Film News.
Constant research: According to distinguished Chinese composer Tan Dun, who won the 2017 Venice Biennale Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and is also a Grammy and Oscar winner, creative ideas come from years of constant research of traditional culture “like an archeologist.”
Last year, Tan was invited to compose a piece of music for the exhibition “Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties” in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Through the use of modern art forms, historical relics and cultural heritage can be more widely understood by the general public. This is a tactic that has been utilized by many contemporary Chinese artists.
The experimental Peking opera Faust, which combines a classic German legend with an innovative form of traditional Chinese opera, was staged in Europe in 2015, and the Chinese ballet Peony Pavilion won acclaim in theaters in the UK and US.
Growing power: In November 2017, US President Donald Trump’s 6-year-old granddaughter Arabella Kushner made headlines after a video clip showing her reciting ancient Chinese poems and singing Chinese songs went viral during Trump’s China visit.
Kushner is just one of many American children learning Chinese. An increasing number of K-12 schools in North America and Europe offer Chinese language classes.
Kensington Wade is the first prep school in the UK to offer a dual-language English-Chinese education from ages 3 to 11, according to its website. The school opened in London in September 2017.
According to the headmistress Joanna Wallace, parents “want to equip their children with the Chinese language, as China is playing an increasingly important global role.”
Confucius Institutes around the world have also played an indispensable role in promoting Chinese language learning. Since 2004, a total of 516 Confucius Institutes and 1,076 related courses have been established in 142 countries and regions, receiving more than 9 million students, said Ma Jianfei, deputy chief executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters.
Chinese literature has gained increasing recognition from global awards committees. Writer Mo Yan won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature. Liu Cixin, author of The Three-Body Problem, was the first Chinese author to receive the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015.
China is ready to build stronger cultural confidence, said a report delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017.
“We must develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, inspire the cultural creativity of our whole nation, and develop a great socialist culture in China,” it reads.
However, the country still has a long way to go, said Zhang Yiwu, a professor of Chinese literature at Peking University. “The most urgent issue is to match our cultural products with people’s’ demands while preserving our own identity,” Zhang said.

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UK worse off in all Brexit scenarios: Leaked report

London

The UK will be worse off in all possible scenarios after leaving the European Union (EU), a leaked government report has revealed.
Obtained by BuzzFeed News, the document is dated January 2018 and reviews three scenarios that, based on the existing arrangements with the EU, are most likely to happen after Brexit.
The secret report states that in a “no deal” scenario, where just like Prime Minister Theresa May has threatened the UK would simply walk away from the EU talks and proceed with the divorce, Britain would experience a 8-percent drop in growth over the next 15 years after reverting to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
In case the two sides can agree on a free trade agreement, the UK’s growth would take a 5-percent hit over the same period according to current forecasts.
The softest Brexit scenario would see the UK maintain its access to the EU Single Market through membership of the European Economic Area, like Norway, an option that May has already ruled out but would cut growth by only 2 percent in the long run.
The report, dubbed EU Exit Analysis — Cross Whitehall Briefing, is put together by government analysts and predicts that financial services, chemicals, clothing, manufacturing, food and drink, cars and retailing will be among the sectors worst hit after Brexit.
May’s ministers were going to be briefed with the new economic analysis of Brexit’s impact, according to the UK media.
PressTV-More Britons favor second Brexit referendum: Poll A new poll shows most of British voters support a second EU referendum amid growing concerns about the government’s Brexit negotiations with the bloc.
Tory Brexiters dismissed the report, which is expected to give a stronger voice to the supporters of a soft Brexit, like Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose party has called for keeping the single market access.
Matthew Pennycook, the shadow Brexit minister, said in reaction to the leak that May must publish the government’s updated analysis. “Labour has made clear since the referendum that Tory ministers cannot withhold vital information from parliament and the public about the impact of different Brexit scenarios on jobs and the economy,” he said in a statement.
Welsh party Plaid Cymru also called for the report to be published. Meanwhile, a number of the top Tory donors called on May to step down for her many failures.
“I think it’s obvious now there is no future for her. She needs to go. And as I’m being honest, the quicker the better.—Agencies

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UK should abandon bias, seek closer ties with China

He Zhigao

UK Prime Minister Theresa May was scheduled to arrive in China on Wednesday to pay a long overdue visit. The China trip comes against the background that a hard Brexit has become a fact. The UK and the EU have officially set March 2019 as the deadline for the UK to leave the EU.
After breaking away from the EU, the UK now faces the problem of re-entering the world trade system. Western countries such as the US should be considered first as economic partners. However, US President Donald Trump is pursuing an “American First” agenda and does not play by the rules. He cancelled a trip to the UK by posting his decision on Twitter, which overshadowed the US-UK special relationship.
Therefore, the UK will keep good relations with China despite some doubts. China is the world’s economic engine and is willing to shoulder responsibilities in globalization. The bilateral trade relationship is very promising, with trade reaching $79 billion in 2017, a 6.2 percent increase compared with 2016. Exports from the UK to China stood at $22.3 billion, a 19.4 percent jump.
Developing economic ties with China has become an important part of the UK’s foreign policy. China also believes that both countries have a vast basis for cooperation on the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative. A stronger relationship will benefit both sides and infuse momentum into the “China-UK Golden Age.”
Prospects for financial cooperation between China and the UK are bright. London’s position as one of the world’s financial centers will be undermined after Brexit.
Since there are strong competitors as Frankfurt, Paris and Zurich, London must seek cooperation with other countries. China, meanwhile, is eager to build a world-class financial center, so there is common ground for cooperation.
London is where innovation has been taking place during the process of yuan internationalization. London has become the world’s second-largest yuan offshore trading center after Hong Kong. Financial cooperation between China and the UK has a broader foundation as well. At the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the UK was the first major Western country that participated.
This is the background to the “China-UK Golden Age.” Unlike her predecessor David Cameron, May has been very cautious when it comes to a commitment involving B&R projects. According to the Financial Times, she has resisted giving a formal endorsement to the B&R initiative.
May’s attitude is to imply that bilateral cooperation has to meet the standards and interests of the UK. Meanwhile, being unyielding to China caters to domestic voters. Investment and construction under the B&R initiative will face some uncertainties after Brexit. The market size will shrink and China might lose access to the European market. Moreover, reviews may take longer for investment projects since the shift from EU standards to UK standards takes time. This may hurt Chinese companies since seizing policy opportunities is a time-sensitive process. China will also have to adapt to new standards and models in the UK.
There are positive effects for China, too. Investment projects in UK must now abide by regulations and rules of the EU, which are much stricter. Brexit will give the UK more independence and flexibility in relations with China. Tripartite cooperation and a China-UK bilateral free trade zone are two plausible economic cooperation models down the road. A bilateral free trade zone requires negotiations. Tripartite cooperation is more feasible and acceptable for both sides.
The Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, which is being built by Chinese and French companies on the Somerset coast of the UK, is an example of tripartite cooperation.
So far, London has focused more on its domestic concerns and relations with the EU. Now it will tentatively explore cooperation with China. Such cooperation has a future if the UK abandons bias and enhances communication with China. At the same time, China should give more thought on how to carry out B&R cooperation with Western countries.
—Courtesy: GT
[The author is research fellow with the Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn]

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Syria targets Turkish military convoy with artillery fire

Beirut

Media reports have surfaced suggesting the Syrian army has targeted a Turkish military convoy traveling in the Arab country’s northwest with artillery fire.
The sources, including Russia Today Arabic, reported the incident on Tuesday. One said the convoy, which comprised around 100 military vehicles, including 15 tanks, was heading towards the al-Eis area in the southern suburbs of the city of Aleppo to set up positions there.
The area overlooks the Syrian army’s positions in the strategic al-Hadher area, lending intelligence superiority to any party in its control. RT Arabic said the convoy came under more than 30 mortar rounds. The report said the attack took place after the convoy entered the Syrian soil, adding that two Turkish F-16 warplanes began flying over the area following the incident.
Al Mayadeen also reported that the Turkish convoy started returning the fire after deployment close to al-Eis.
Neither Syrian nor Turkish officials have made any comments on the reports yet. Turkey started military attacks in northern Syria in 2016, targeting the United States-backed Kurdish militants of the People’s Protection Units (YPG). It associates the YPG with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been fighting a separatist war against Ankara for decades.
The operation ended last year. The country, however, renewed the offensive last week after the US said it planned to establish a 30,000-strong armed presence in Syria near the Turkish border, comprising the so-called Syrian Defense Force (SDF), which is led by the YPG.—Agencies

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US ‘evidence’ of ‘Iranian-made’ missile sparks ridicule

Washington

Pictures of purported missile fragments presented by the United States as “evidence” that Iranian-made missiles were used by Yemen have sparked widespread ridicule on social media, with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif offering his own comically amusing take on the images.
On December 14, 2017, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley presented a charred tube and other material that she claimed were from an Iranian-made ballistic missile fired from Yemen at the King Khalid International Airport near the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on November 4. She claimed that that “evidence” proved Iran’s violation of United Nations resolutions banning the transfer of weapons to the Houthi Ansarullah fighters. Both Iran and the Houthis have denied that the missile fired was Iranian. The US has not stopped making that far-fetched pitch, however. On Monday, the US hosted UN Security Council envoys to view the purported missile parts.
After the US meeting, the UK’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Jonathan Allen, posted on Twitter pictures that he said were “clear evidence that #Iran missiles and other weapons [were] used by Houthis in #Yemen.”
One of the images shared by Allen showed what seemed to be a visibly intact cable with the writings “Made in Iran” and the emblem of the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) on it. In a post on his own official Twitter account on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Zarif used the picture used by Allen next to one of a packet of Iranian-made cheese puffs with the same ISIRI logo.
A while ago US showed a Saudi-supplied Iranian missile intact. They must’ve been told a missile destroyed by a Patriot does not land fully assembled. So now US shows UNSC missile fragments w/ Iranian Standard Institute logo, as on our foodstuffs. Try fabricating “evidence” again.—Agencies

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Russia to ‘target’ US midterm polls: CIA chief

New York

The government of Russia is preparing to “target” the midterm congressional elections that will be held later this year, says CIA Director Mike Pompeo, repeating claims that Moscow seeks to interfere in other countries’ political affairs.
Speaking to BBC in an interview published late Monday, Pompeo said there were no signs that Russia had decreased its attempts at subversion in Europe and the US.
“I haven’t seen a significant decrease in their activity,” the spymaster claimed, noting that he expected Russian to interfere in the November elections as they allegedly did in the US 2016 presidential election, which Republican nominee Donald Trump won. “I have every expectation that they will continue to try and do that but I’m confident that America will be able to have a free and fair election [and] that we will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won’t be great,” Pompeo said.
US intelligence agencies claim Russia-linked hackers and their programmed online bots were able to successfully skew the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump by releasing damaging information on his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
This has led the FBI and Congress to launch high-profile investigations into reports that Trump and his team might have colluded with Moscow.—Agencies

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North Korean leader’s brother met American before death

Malaysia

The half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, who was killed last February, met a United States national, possibly an intelligence agent, at a hotel in Malaysia four days before his death, the lead Malaysian investigator in the case says.
During the trial of two women accused of killing Kim Jong-nam on Monday, Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz, the senior police investigator, testified that the victim had met an American man at a hotel on the Malaysian island of Langkawi on February 9.
Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong are accused of smearing Kim Jong-nam’s face with VX, a chemical nerve agent, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13 as he was waiting to board a plane to return home in the Chinese territory of Macau.
The women, who face the death penalty if convicted, pleaded not guilty, insisting that they were duped into believing that they were participating in a prank TV show.
At the Monday hearing, Siti Aisyah’s lawyer, Gooi Soon-seng, questioned officer Che Wan Aziz about a report published last year in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun that Kim had met a US intelligence agent in the Malaysian island.
The police officer only agreed with the lawyer’s statement that Kim had met a “Korean-American based in Bangkok” in Langkawi.
According to police official, Kim arrived in Malaysia from Macau on February 6 before traveling to Langkawi two days later. The officer, however, said that he was unable to reveal the US national’s identity.—Agencies

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More than half Pakistanis (55%) feel that the best way to avoid smog is by covering oneself with a mask/scarf when outside home.

According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, more than half Pakistanis (55%) feel that the best way to avoid smog is by covering oneself with a mask/scarf when outside home.

A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked “What are some of the way to avoid smog in your opinion?” In response, 55% said by covering nose, mouth or face with a mask/scarf when outside home, 42% said by using glasses when outside home, 38% by drinking more and more water daily, 36% said by keeping doors and windows closed, 32% said by avoiding going out of the house unnecessarily, 17% said by using wet cloth instead of a broomstick for cleaning and 10% said by using fog lights.

from Gallup Pakistan http://ift.tt/2E3qdtB

Afghan Defense ministry criticizes soldiers for failing to stop attack on military base

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has criticized the soldiers for failing to thwart the deadly attack on the Marshal Fahim Military Academy in which 11 security personnel were killed earlier this week.

Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said the soldiers who were deployed at the entrance gate of the academy should have killed all five suicide attackers before they managed to enter in the building of Afghan military. A gunfight between insurgents and security forces lasted five hours and resulted in the death of 11 military personnel.

Waziri added that the guards deployed from the army unit failed to do their jobs and it cause lives of our soldiers.

It to be mentioned that this was the third major attack in Kabul in the past 10 days after insurgents first held the Intercontinental Hotel under siege for over 15 hours and also detonated an ambulance laden with explosives close to Chicken Street in the heart of the city on Saturday.  At least 103 people were killed in this incident.

While talking to Afghan news channel, Former military officer Atiqullah Amarkhail has said these attacks in the capital have undermined the security agencies efforts to ensure the safety of the people.

The Interior Ministry said they have a new plan to assess security vulnerabilities that have led to these deadly attacks.

The post Afghan Defense ministry criticizes soldiers for failing to stop attack on military base appeared first on The Frontier Post.

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Contempt petition: LHC issues notice to Nawaz, Maryam

F.P. Report

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court issued a notice to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah in a contempt of court case on Wednesday which was filed by Advocate Azhar Siddiqui.

Advocate Azhar Siddiqui filed a petition and he stated that  Nawaz, his daughter Maryam Nawaz has insulted the judiciary during their speeches in the recently held Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s rally  in Jaranwala and demanded form the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against them.

During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim directed the requester to present the evidence of contempt in the next hearing.

The petitioner has stated that Nawaz, Maryam and Rana Sanaullah did contempt of the court in the public gathering and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) allowed it to run on the tv channels, hence action should be taken against them.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) accepted hearing on a contempt of court petition against the above-mentioned PML-N leaders on Jan 29.

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US aid should only go to friends: Donal Trump

Monitoring Desk

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has advised the congress to pass a law to ensure that the aid should only be given to the friends of America’s.

Donald Trump said this in his maiden annual speech at State of the Union. He said that it was a mistake for the country to send money to those nations who are voting against US at the United Nations and rejecting our interests.

President Trump added that he reorganized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel just a month before after it was endorsed by the Senate Unanimously and dozens of countries voted in the UN General Assembly against the America’s sovereign right to make this recognition.

We are sending billions of dollars aid of our taxpayers to those countries but yet they are not supporting US then why we spend that money on our friends, he added.

Trump suggested that tonight I am asking the Congress to pass legislation to help ensure American foreign-assistance dollars always serve American interests, and only go to America’s friends.

During his speech, president Trump also added we should put a focus on prosperity, rebuilding, and cooperation and proclaiming a “New American Moment”.

US President further added that as we rebuild America’s strength and confidence at home, we are also restoring our strength and standing abroad.

Regarding the Guantanamo bay, he said that he directed the defense secretary, James Mattis, to reexamine our military detention policy and to keep open the detention facilities at Guantánamo Bay.

Trump claimed that in the past, we have foolishly released hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield including the Isis leader, al-Baghdadi.

,

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Nawaz’s counsel to appear in SC today in Article 62 case

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Azam Tarrar will represent the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the supreme court on Wednesday as it takes up the case relating to the disqualification time period of lawmakers under Article 62(1)(f).

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar is heading the five member bench and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.

According to legal expert the decision of the case, which is likely to have a significant effect on disqualified politicians including Nawaz, is being heard to determine the duration of the disqualification of elected officials on violation of Article 62(1)(f) and other related laws.

On Tuesday, the court had summoned both Tareen and Nawaz, however, only the PTI leader showed up in court.

As the hearing went underway, the bench was informed that neither Nawaz nor any counsel representing him is present in court.

The court then issued another notice to Nawaz to appear in court today or be represented by a counsel.

 

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Disqualification time-period: SC gives Nawaz, counsel seven days to prepare for case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has given one week to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to present his arguments regarding the matter related to the determination of disqualification time period under Article 62(1) (f) of the Constitution.

Azam Nazeer Tarar, counsel for the Sharif family, appeared before the five-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar and requested for three days time for Nawaz to engage with the counsel.

However, the top courted granted Tarrar one week to prepare for the case.

During the hearing, the CJP questioned whether a parliamentarian, who has been disqualified under Article 62 (1) (f) three months before the general election, would be eligible to contest.

Waseem Sajjad, counsel for a parliamentarian, stated that the present form of Article 62 is confusing and that there is a need to resolve the controversy around it.

He stated that Article 62 (1)(f) does not give ‘punishment’ which is mentioned in Article 63 of the Constitution. According to said article, time duration of disqualification will be five years.

However, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh said if we accept this interpretation then Article 62 will be redundant.

Munir A Malik, who has been appointed as ‘Amicus’ (friend of the court) in the case, stated that right to contest in elections is a fundamental right. Therefore, he added, Article 62 and 63 should be read in a manner wherein fundamental rights of any person should not be infringed.

Malik also stated that time duration of disqualification is mentioned in Article 63 of the Constitution, which says that MPAs will be disqualified for five years.

The Supreme Court (SC) issued a second notice to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif after he did not personally appear before the court on Tuesday in a matter related to the determination of time-period of disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution.

A five-judge larger bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, took up 17 cases related to the disqualification of parliamentarians.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GviN0u

Afghan interior minister, intelligence chief in Pakistan for talks: FO

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Afghan delegation comprising the country’s interior minister and the chief of National Directorate of Security (NDS) is on a visit to Pakistan to hold talks on bilateral cooperation, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said.

“Afghan government had requested that a high level delegation comprising Interior Minister and NDS chief would like to visit Pakistan with a message from Afghan President and for discussions about cooperation between the two countries. Delegation is here and will have talks today,” FO spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted.

A renewed wave of terrorist attacks has hit Afghanistan in the recent weeks, as the Taliban and Daesh escalate their offensive against the Kabul government.

On Monday, Kabul suffered its third major assault in recent days when a suicide attack on an Afghan army battalion killed at least 11 soldiers and wounded 16.

On Saturday, a Taliban suicide attacker driving an explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul, killing at least 103 people — mainly civilians — and wounding 235, in one of the worst bombings in the city in recent years.

And, on January 20, Taliban fighters stormed Kabul’s landmark Intercontinental Hotel and killed at least 25 people — the majority of them foreigners — in an assault lasting more than 12 hours.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the terror attacks and conveyed its condolences at the bloodshed, with the FO spokesperson stressing that “terrorism is not the way forward”.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2rP6Lfq

ٹویٹر صارف خاتون نے اپنے ساتھ پیش آنے والا ایسا واقعہ بیان کر دیا کہ کوئی بھی ماں باپ بچوں کو اکیلے باہر نہیں جانے دیں گے

source

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GyMduQ

Latest Update On Saeed Anwar’s brother-in-law kidnapping

source

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2rP5rJu

Amir Khan: Boxer throws water at Phil Lo Greco in heated exchange about personal life

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GyM2Qc

Child Po-rnography — why on rise — reasons?

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2rVOvAW

Woh Mujhe Giriftaar Bhi Kar Sakte Thay….. Shahid Masood

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GyPtGn

Raid On Pros-titution Centre

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2DRatq4

Where Is Pemra..??

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2Epz1rq

Imran Khan Should Send The Check Of Rupees 25 Lacs Rauf Klasara

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2DQx4TV

Arif Nizami Analysis On Rao Anwar Case

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2EqhzTR

Rao Anwar Ko Kaise Pakra Jaye -Amir Mateen

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2DNB9Ih

ڈونلد ٹرمپ کو صدر بنوانے کے بعد روس خفیہ طور پر امریکہ میں اب کیا کرنے والا ہے ؟

source

from Pakistani Talk Shows, Pakistan Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan http://ift.tt/2rTjD47

Bernie Ecclestone brands James Stunt 'an idiot'

The Formula One boss said James Stunt 'used to be an honourable person' as he welcomed a court's decision to allow Petra (pictured outside court with her father) to emigrate to the US.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2BEuyhF

Navy forced to deploy minehunter to intercept Putin's subs

HMS Cattistock was secretly sent to shadow a Sliva-class support tug and two Kilo-class submarines as they passed through the English Channel, in August last year.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DXsZ3F

Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union Address

President Donald Trump celebrated the 'incredible progress' and 'extraordinary success' that his administration has made in the year since he took office in his State of the Union address.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2GvSnMf

Put folic acid in bread to protect babies, says study

A major new study has concluded that adding folic acid to flour and bread in Britain would help protect babies from devastating medical conditions such as spina bifida.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DXxXxl

Engineer spent three months in jail on false rape claim

The case against Connor Fitzgerald collapsed when prosecutors found the messages sent by the woman accusing him of rape. The 19-year-old from South London spent 11 weeks in prison.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DOdYSd

Mother charges children £6 to come to her twins' birthday

Ruma Ali, 29, from Leicester, asked for parents to contribute to the party of her twins Shiyan and Kiyan, because she did not want 'anybody to get left out' of the fun.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2GxVPWw

UK Weather: Freezing winds sees temperatures fall to -5C

Temperatures were 15C lower this morning than at the same point yesterday in some areas of Britain - and blustery showers with rain, sleet, snow and hail are on the way tomorrow.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2rVmARQ

Sydney seaplane 'hit water away from flight path'

Richard Cousins, the 58-year-old chief executive of Compass Group, died alongside his sons, Will and Edward, aged 25 and 23, his fiancee, Emma Bowden, 48, and her 11-year-old daughter Heather.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DMKW1A

BBC hands pay rises to more men than women

The review found the BBC pays male news presenters nearly 7 per cent more than female ones on average, and nearly 13 per cent more when it comes to lower-profile presenting jobs.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2noMMzz

Is the Night Watcher ALSO the Wimbledon Prowler?

Det Insp Dan O’Sullivan said there are disturbing similarities between the Night Watcher and the unsolved case of a prolific intruder known as the Wimbledon Prowler.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2ntmlYn

Two Brits are among five men arrested after cocaine haul

Border Force officers found around 500kg of the Class A drug after searching an aircraft that flew into Farnborough Airport from Bogota in Colombia yesterday.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2GwatgY

'I'm not a quitter', says Theresa

Speaking to journalists on a flight to China, where she was leading a trade delegation, Mrs May brushed aside questions about her leadership and said: ‘First and foremost, I’m serving my country.'

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2BE8XWK

Lord Patten brands Brexit vote 'appalling'

Lord Patten of Barnes branded referendums 'appalling and a sin against parliamentary democracy' on the first day of the Lords debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2GtFnH3

Girl, 4, 'bleeding from nails after using Hasbro polish'

Four-year-old Harley Mae Cook, from Gateshead, was left with her fingernails 'hanging off' after using a varnish from a My Little Pony vanity table.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DPjhRz

Liverpool murder probe after body of 17-year-old boy found

Two men, aged 31 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a 17-year-old boy was found in a garden in Speke, Liverpool. The victim has been named as Brandon Regan.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DZ377l

Clarifications and corrections

A report in yesterday’s paper said that National Trust fees are set to increase by up to £6 a month. We are happy to make clear that the increase for 2018 will in fact be up to £6 per year.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2FuTIS8

Ministers under pressure to disclose number of jihadis

Ministers are under growing pressure to disclose how many British Jihadis who have returned from Syria have been prosecuted amid fears hundreds are roaming free on UK streets.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2Fw37J4

QUENTIN LETTS: Welcome to the House of has-beens

One quivering old fool called for the Brexit referendum (biggest vote in our country’s history) to be ignored by the immensely more sophisticated denizens of the Palace of Westminster.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2rQPX7v

Bottled water ad claiming to extend life is banned

Ads for the premium bottled water brand No 1 Rosemary Water have been banned for suggesting the drink can free the body of illness and disease and extend life.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DYCYWi

Woman branded a 'fantasist' gets role in sex abuse inquiry

Esther Baker (pictured), claims that former MP John Hemming, along with one of the most revered figures in post-war politics, repeatedly raped her in a Staffordshire forest when she was a child.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2Ftfky8

London train passengers unsatisfied with ticket prices

Transport Focus surveyed 27,000 passengers last year on their train commute. Only one in three said the value was worth it. Many reported a lack of communication from rail companies.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DOvJ3R

Police chief demands end of soft treatment for speeding

Britain's road policing chief said motorists should be fined even if they are 1mph over the speed limit and drivers are not afraid enough of getting caught because of speeding awareness courses.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DLLPLE

Some 1.7million people could lose their homes

In a rare stark warning, the City watchdog urged homeowners with interest-only mortgages they are struggling to repay to seek help from their bank or a debt charity immediately.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2nst59a

Stores of illegal rubbish grow as China rejects UK waste

The Chinese have imposed draconian new restrictions on imports – accepting only the most pure, uncontaminated materials.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2Fv5hsv

Brussels hands UK an ultimatum on air pollution

The EU rebuked Britain yesterday for failing to improve air quality in cities and warned that more deaths will occur without urgent action.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2GwXTyn

The VERY middle class mob that stormed Churchill cafe

Staff – who include Jewish and Muslim workers – say they were terrified when the demonstrators burst in to the Blighty UK cafe shouting Marxist slogans and denouncing Churchill as a ‘racist’.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DOu1j8

Doctors' revolt over colleague struck off after boys death

Thousands of doctors believe Hazida Bawa-Garba, whose negligence resulted in the death of Jack Adcock, from Leicester, has been made a scapegoat and are now not admitting mistakes.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2FuiMIV

Britain's best walks

Whether you’re a keen hiker or a more relaxed rambler, we are a nation of walkers. And it seems nowhere sparks our love of a good stroll quite like the majestic Lake District. Picutred: Mount Snowdon.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2FvgRnC

Ireland rugby stars 'boasted about raping a woman'

Ireland and Ulster stars Stuart Olding, 24, and Paddy Jackson, 26, are accused of raping the same woman at a property in south Belfast in June 2016.

from News | Mail Online http://ift.tt/2DOnFQM

Volkswagen suspends executive who knew about monkey tests

Thomas Steg has been suspended by the German carmaker after papers showed he knew about diesel exhaust tests on monkeys, though knew nothing about separate tests on humans.

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Pakistan ready to extend rail link agreement with India

ISLAMABAD: Despite tense ties with New Delhi due to frequent ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and Working Boundary, Pakistan gave its consent for a three-year extension to an agreement with India on Munabao-Khokhrapar rail link.

“The government of Pakistan has agreed to extend the agreement of the rail link between Munabao (India)and Khokhrapar (Pakistan) for another three years,” a Foreign Office statement said.

The extension will take effect from Feb 1, 2018.

The rail link facilitates people-to-people contact that Pakistan believes is essential for improving relations between the two countries, the FO said.

The signing of the rail link agreement in 2006 had restored the route after 41 years. The connection substantially reduced travel time between Sindh (Pakistan) and central and southern Indian states.

Over 200 ceasefire violations by India have taken place so far this year, resulting in the killing of 12 people, including four soldiers. Since 2003, the highest number of ceasefire violations by India (1,881) was recorded last year with 87 killings. Earlier this month, Indian army chief Gen Bipin Rawat had admitted that his troops were deliberately targeting Pakistani posts.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GyMJJi

Kohat killing: SC to hear Asma murder suo motu case today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will hear the suo motu case of Asma Rani murder case today (Wednesday).

Asma Rani, a third-year medical student was killed in her hometown of Kohat after she refused a marriage proposal. The victim’s family claims she was shot dead by the prime suspect Mujahid Afridi who fled the country to Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of the murder of a medical student in Kohat.

The chief justice had summoned a report from the Inspector General Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Salahuddin Mehsud, the deadline for which expires today.

Chief Justice Nisar remarked while hearing a separate case on Tuesday that the suspect is said to be a relative of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader.

The chief justice questioned how the suspect was able to flee the country.

‘KP police was aware of life threats to Asma’

Safia Rani, the sister of murdered Kohat medical student, has claimed that Asma Rani’s murder was pre-planned and that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police was aware of life threats to her.

In an interview with media in London, Safia claimed that both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police and Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Kohat chapter president Aftab Alam knew about life threats to Asma Rani, but did nothing to stop Mujahid Afridi from killing her.

During the interview, she shared details of the terror her family has had to face over a long period of time at the hands of Mujahid Afridi, nephew of PTI Kohat district president Aftab Alam.

Safia said her sister faced a constant campaign of harassment and threats from Mujahid Afridi, but no one came to their rescue despite the fact that she, her sister, and her family spoke to Aftab Alam, begging for help at least three times.

“Mujahid Afridi came to our house and issued threats to me, my family and my sister. We informed the police about these threats but no action was taken because he belongs to a rich family and we are a poor family. I have heard that policemen have been talking how rich Mujahid Afridi is,” said Safia, adding that the “Tabdeeli” slogan by the PTI is just a slogan and KP police takes action only against poor people who have no clout and resources.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2rR0tvN

Accountability court resumes corruption hearing against Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: The accountability court hearing corruption proceedings against former finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar resumed its proceedings today.

Dar, a close aide of Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif, is accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income. A reference against him was filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in light of the Supreme Court’s July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.

Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Joint Registrar Sidra Mansur submitted in court documents related to two of Dar’s companies.

Moreover, SECP Deputy Registrar Salman Saeed requested Accountability Court-I Judge Mohammad Bashir for some time to present further details of Dar’s companies saying the record is on its way from Karachi.

The court then briefly adjourned the hearing.

‘Court computer on UPS’

Later, NAB requested for more time as the records were delayed, to which the judge responded that the prosecution better hurry up as owing to the electricity load-shedding, the court computer is running on a UPS and the battery may die soon.

Former head of the Panama case Joint Investigation Team, Federal Investigation Agency Additional Director Wajid Zia, did not appear in court today.

He was summoned by the NAB as a prosecution witness.

At the last hearing on Tuesday, the court recorded Mansur’s statement, who also presented details of several of Dar’s companies registered with the SECP.

At an earlier hearing on Monday, the court had recorded statements of six witnesses: NAB officials Shakeel Anjum, Iqbal Hasan, Zavar Manzoor and Umar Draz Gondal, District Officer Punjab Industries Azhar Hussain and IRS Lahore Commissioner Ishtiaq Ahmed.

Ahmed had informed the court that Dar’s wealth increased 91 times from Rs9.1 million in June 1993 to over Rs830 million by 2009.

Following his indictment, Dar has been a no-show in the proceedings after he departed for London in October last year seeking medical treatment.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GznqH9

Naqeeb murder case: Absconding cop Rao Anwar denies fleeing Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Suspended SSP Malir Rao Anwar denied reports of fleeing Pakistan but still remains at large after his arrest orders over the ‘fake encounter’ of a 27-year-old man in Karachi.

The absconding police official is wanted by authorities in connection to the extrajudicial murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud — who along with four alleged terrorists — was killed in an ‘exchange of fire’ with a police team led by Anwar on January 13 in Shah Latif Town, Karachi.

“I have not fled the country, I am in Pakistan,” Anwar said in a conversation withGeo News from an undisclosed location. “I am sending an appeal for justice to the Chief Justice of Pakistan.”

He alleged that the police had noted the incorrect time of his arrival at the police encounter.

Anwar also denied rumours of using property magnate Malik Riaz’s aeroplane, which the latter had also refuted in a video message released earlier today.

“I have not even seen Malik Riaz’s plane [let alone use it], these are all baseless allegations,” the suspended SPP Malir said, adding that he was not hiding in Bilawal House either.

“I have no such terms with Asif Ali Zardari to take asylum at Bilawal House,” Anwar said, adding that the Pakistan Peoples Party [PPP] Co-Chairman had never asked him to carry out any unlawful tasks.

Anwar denies owning property raided in Islamabad

Adding to an earlier denial of owning a house raided today in the federal capital’s F-10 vicinity, the suspended officer claimed to have sold off the property.

“I bought the house mentioned on my CNIC in 1993, from the prize money received for killing Farooq Dada, after Bahadur Ali’s murder,” he said. “I sold it off later but did not change my address on my CNIC due to security reasons.”

“The raid conducted [today] was on House-133, Street-43, Sector F-10, which is owned by Waqas Riffat son of Malik Riffat Hussain,” he said. “[They] have pasted posters on someone else’s house. My residence was F-2, Jackson Police Line.”

Investigation officials had claimed that the house raided on Tuesday, as per the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) record, is owned by the suspended Malir SSP.

‘Don’t even own a bicycle, have only one bank account’

Anwar claimed that he ‘does not even own a cycle’ and stated that he only has one bank account in the National Bank of Pakistan.

“Why would I pay income tax when I only earn Rs100,000 [per month],” he told Geo News. “I don’t even own a bicycle.”

“I have just one account in the National Bank of Pakistan where my salary is deposited,” he said. “I have already withdrawn approximately Rs1.1million from my General Provident Fund.”

SC deadline expires, Anwar remains at large

The capital city’s police have remained unsuccessful in producing the suspended SSP Malir after a deadline given by the Supreme Court (SC) expired on Tuesday.

Islamabad police assisted Karachi police, including teams from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Crime Branch (CB) that continue to search for the suspended police official who, according to sources, was present in the federal capital.

Police had earlier claimed that the raided premises, House-133, Street-43, F-10/4, did not belong to Rao Anwar and no one was found at the house when the raid was conducted on January 30.

Malik Riaz denies lending any help to Anwar

In a video message released, the founder and chairman of Bahria Town Malik Riaz Hussain had denied rumours of his private aircraft being used by Anwar to flee the country.

“I want to say under oath that I own two aeroplanes for the past eight years and Rao Anwar has not even used them once,” the property magnate had said, adding that he neither ever does anything that is against the law, nor supports unlawful activities.

“I am as sorrowful about Naqeebullah’s [killing] as his parents, his brothers, his family, and every Pakistani. He is like my own son, and I have always loved God’s creation,” the real-estate tycoon had said.

Hussain, in the video message, had stated that he was presently out of the country due to his personal engagements and medical reasons.

“Law enforcement agencies have been mobilized; whoever is responsible for this [crime] will be duly punished and will not be able to evade the authorities.”

“I say this under oath [on behalf of] Bahria Town and Malik Riaz that our plane was not used for any such activity and neither have we taken any practical actions to help him.”

“I stand united with the family and not with any criminal,” Hussain had said. “With God’s blessings my record is very clear and God is my witness.”

Naqeebullah murder case

Anwar and his police party went into hiding soon after an inquiry committee was formed, following claims of innocence from Naqeebullah’s family.

An FIR was registered against the suspended SSP and his associates, owing to their no-show and alleged involvement in the case.

The committee, headed by Counter-Terrorism Department Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi, submitted its report on the case to the Supreme Court on Friday, which stated that Naqeebullah was killed in a ‘fake encounter’ with the police.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh AD Khawaja Sunday wrote a letter to intelligence agencies, seeking their help in arresting Anwar.

The Sindh IGP has requested the intelligence agencies to provide technical and intelligence assistance.

The letter for assistance reads that Anwar reached Islamabad through a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight on the morning of January 20 and attempted to flee to Dubai on January 23, but was barred from doing so by immigration officials.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court on Saturday, after the apex court’s 72-hour deadline, IG Khawaja had said: “I think that he [Rao Anwar] should face the court. The court will listen to his legal arguments.”

Responding to a question about the court’s deadline, Khawaja remarked: “We will try our best to arrest him.”

Anwar was present on site of ‘encounter’

An analysis of cellular data has confirmed Anwar was present at the scene of the ‘police encounter’ where Mehsud was killed along with three others.

A technical analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) of the cell numbers in use of Anwar and his eight associates shows that the police officials were present at the scene of the encounter, an investigative report on the incident revealed on Saturday.

Among Anwar’s associates present at the scene were ASI Khair Muhammad, SI Muhammad Anar, ASI Gada Hussain, SI Amanullah Marwat, SI Shoaib, HC Faisal Mehmood, HC Mohsin Abbass and PC Raja Shamim, the report stated.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2rOI2HU

PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi gets interim bail in 2014 dharna violence cases

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) approved the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi in cases related to violence during a sit-in the capital in 2014.

Qureshi, who appeared in the court for the first time after absconding for about two years, was ordered to pay a surety bond worth Rs100,000.

The court is hearing four cases pertaining to violence, including destroying property in the Red Zone, attacking the state TV channel’s building and injuring then-SSP Operations Asmatullah Junejo during the 2014 protest.

Both Qureshi and PTI chairman Imran Khan are named in all four cases. Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Tahirul Qadri and workers of both parties are also named in the cases. Qadri has also been absconding in the cases.

On Tuesday, the Secretariat police submitted an interim charge-sheet before the ATC, which named Imran as a suspect and included a list of 14 witnesses against the party chief.

Bails of PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Arif Alvi and Asad Umar were approved on January 17 after they appeared for the first time in the court in the case after absconding for two years.

Imran Khan’s bail was extended in the four cases on January 2.

In August 2014, violence broke out in the federal capital when PTI and PAT supporters attempted to break a police cordon and storm the PM House, using cranes to remove barricades.

The clashes between police and protesters resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to over 560. Of the injured, 77 were security officials deployed in the Red Zone, including SSP Junejo.

The decision to march to the PM House was taken after talks between the government, PTI and PAT had failed to end the deadlock over the resignation of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The two parties were protesting ‘rigging’ in the 2013 general elections.

from The Daily Mail International – Leading English Newspaper from Pakistan http://ift.tt/2GyMzSc