Pakistan says US should consult Taliban on any Afghan pullout delay

 Pakistan says US should consult Taliban on any Afghan pullout delay

           WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The us should consult the Taliban on any extension of a  1st May deadline for a full U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan and will not decide unilaterally, the Pakistani ambassador to the us said on Friday.

Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan’s comments come because the Biden administration conducts a review of a February 2020 affect the Taliban that's expected to work out whether it'll meet the deadline to withdraw the last US soldiers from America’s longest war.

US and European officials say the Taliban haven't fulfilled commitments they made within the accord which conditions aren't conducive to advancing the social process amid a surge in violence blamed on the insurgents. The Taliban deny the fees .

The Taliban, seeking to reimpose Islamic rule out Afghanistan after their 2001 ouster at the hands of U.S.-led troops, deny the fees and indicate they're going to resume attacks on U.S. and allied troops unless the May deadline is kept.

“If there's strong justification and reasoning to possess an extension for logistical or other reasons, the parties have overcome difficulties ... before in terms of reaching footing ,” Khan said. “It’s really also an issue of the credibility of the us .”

Khan told a web forum sponsored by the Stimson Center that U.S. officials should consult the Taliban before deciding whether to take care of the last 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

“That is where the method should start,” Khan said. “To present this as a accomplished fact , I think, will only create difficulty.” Khan’s comments were significant as Pakistan, which helped facilitate the US-Taliban negotiations in Doha that clinched the February 2020 deal, wields considerable influence with the insurgents.

2 shot dead, several injured amid violence during NA-75 by-polls in Sialkot

 2 shot dead, several injured amid violence during NA-75 by-polls in Sialkot

A wounded man is run care after clashes broke out during a by-election within the NA-75 (Sialkot-IV) constituency within the Daska tehsil, on February 19, 2021. — Geo News screengrab

Two people were killed and a number of other injured as violence broke out on Friday during the by-polls held at NA-75 (Sialkot-IV) constituency within the Daska tehsil.

The identity of the 2 people that died has not been ascertained yet.

Clashes occurred between workers of the PTI and PML-N across the constituency and at the Gondla polling place , things escalated to some extent where shots were fired. Eight people were injured of which two later succumbed to their injuries.

According to Geo News, first coronavirus came the way with polling suspended thanks to a violation of safety protocols then later violence disrupted the polling, the time that ended at 5pm. Those still inside polling stations are going to be allowed to cast their votes.

PML-N's Rana Sanaullah had petitioned for the polling time to be increased in sight of the disruption. He accused the "government's thugs" to attempting to thin out the vote with violence, claiming that PTI's polling camps were all empty and unattended.

The request was turned down by the committee .

PTI's Usman Dar, in response, accused Sanaullah of disturbing the law and order within the constituency. "Rana Sanaullah was roaming around with groups of armed men," he said, adding that a police complaint are going to be registered against him.

He claimed Sanaullah "wants to try to to in Daska what was wiped out Model Town".

Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar's aide Firdous Ashiq Awan joined in by saying what occurred was the "traditional thuggery by PML-N" under the leadership of Sanaullah. She claimed PTI workers were harassed by PML-N.

When approached by Geo News reporters, police didn't answer questions on the firing and claimed polling had gone on uninterrupted.

CM takes notice of incident

Chief Minister Buzdar, while taking notice of firing incident, has sought a report from the military officer of Police (IGP).

The chief minister has ordered the arrest of the suspects at the earliest and said that action would be initiated against those found responsible with none discrimination.

Blame game between candidates

PTI candidate Ali Asjad and PML-N contender Syeda Nausheen blamed each others' parties for instigating violence.

Asjad claimed that PML-N "could not stand losing" then resorted to violence. Nausheen, on the opposite hand, claimed that folks had witnessed armed men with PTI flags outside polling stations firing shots within the air and chanting party slogans, which also resulted in power lines breaking and falling down. "We haven't any arms," she insisted.

Meanwhile, TLP's chief polling agent Sahibzada Fazal Haq also claimed that his car was fired upon and his windows lie shattered.

Situation remains tense

Reporting from the Degree College polling place , Geo News correspondent Umar Ejaz said that even after polling time ended, the PTI and PML-N workers continued to chant slogans against each other .

He said shots were not being fired, as was the case intermittently throughout polling time.

The correspondent, who had spoken to the Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Daska Latif Sahi, said that eight people had been brought injured to the power , of which two had died. It couldn't be ascertained which party they belong to.

PSL 2021: Can Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators lift the trophy again?

 PSL 2021: Can Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators lift the trophy again?

Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed receiving the PSL 2019 trophy from President Arif Alvi.

Can Sarfaraz Ahmed do that again for his purple force?

Being the sole franchise that has not made any change in its team management, Quetta Gladiators is that the most consistent franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Known as one among the prolific franchises, Gladiators won three finals in five previous editions, winning the title in 2019.

Gladiators' performance last year was marred by back-to-back travel but that won’t be the case for them this point as matches are being held only at two venues – Karachi and Lahore.

King of T20 Chris Gayle 

This year, Gladiators will have the services of the “Universal Boss” Chris Gayle who is undisputed King of T20 Cricket. 

Gale has several T20 records to his credit which incorporates most runs (13,584), most centuries (22), most half-centuries (85). highest individual T20 score (175*) most sixes (1001) and most sixes during a match (18).

Although, he didn’t had best in PSL during his two previous outings – averaging just 18.78 from his 14 matches but the 41-year-old showed his class in scoring 238 runs at 41.14 for King’s XI Punjab giving Gladiators a hope that Gayle can produce some match-winning knocks for them and feeling the void created after retirement of Shane Watson.

However, he won’t be available for a full season. He will return to West Indies to hitch his national team for the series against Sri Lanka and can get replaced by another T20 stalwart Faf du Plessis.

The batting line-up

The Sarfaraz-led side also has the services of Azam Khan, son of Moin Khan, Cameron Delport, Tom Banton, and Ben Cutting to strengthen their batting lineup.

Delport, who has previously played for Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and Lahore qalandars within the Pakistan Super League, also can be handy as a part-time seamer. He has, so far, taken 68 wickets at a mean of 28.45 along side Delport, local boys Mohammad Nawaz and Anwar Ali provides Quetta enough firepower.

The bowling side

Quetta has electrical converter bowlers including Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Usman Shinwari. 

They are regular features of Pakistan’s pace attack in international cricket. They’ll have the guidance of Dale Steyn who is additionally picked by Gladiators as a supplementary player. The South African will join the purple force on 22nd February.

All-rounder Nawaz, along side Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmad and Dadu-based Zahid Mahmood gives Sarfaraz Ahmed some good options during a spin also .

It looks just like the Gladiators are all ready for the PSL action, all they have to try to to is play like true Gladiators if they need to win the second PSL trophy.

Quetta Gladiators' squad: 

 Sarfaraz Ahmed, Qais Ahmad, Anwar Ali, Saim Ayub, Tom Banton, Ben Cutting, Cameron Delport, Chris Gayle, Mohammad Hasnain, Arish Ali Khan, Azam Khan, Hassan Khan, Usman Khan, Zahid Mahmood, Abdul Nasir, Mohammad Nawaz, Faf du Plessis, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan Shinwari, Dale Steyn.

Fixtures for Quetta Gladiators:

 February 20- Karachi Kings, Washington's Birthday - Lahore Qalandars, February 26 - Peshawar Zalmi, March 1- Islamabad United, March 3 - Multan Sultans, March 6 - Islamabad United, March 7 - Multan Sultans, March 11 - Lahore Qalandars, March 13 - Karachi Kings, March 14 - Peshawar Zalmi

Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara declared dead by family

 Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara declared dead by family

A picture of missing mountaineer Ali Sadpara. Photo: Twitter/Muhammad Ali Sadpara/via Geo.tv

Missing Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara has been declared dead by his family after going missing for quite 10 days. 

The announcement was made by Ali Sadpara's son, Sajid Sadpara, in Skardu. "I will keep my father’s mission alive and fulfil his dream," he said.

He also thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of the military Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and therefore the courageous pilots of the Askari Aviation for conducting a radical search and operation amid the tough weather for his father.

Sadpara, Iceland's John Snorri and Chile's Juan Pablo Mohr had departed for his or her journey on February 3 after Sadpara's birthday, asking fans and admirers to "keep us in your prayers".

They had started their attempt for the ultimate summit within the early hours of February 5, hoping to accomplish the herculean feat by afternoon.

According to updates posted on Snorri's facebook account on Friday, at 12:29pm, the GPS stopped working and had not updated in six hours.

Ali Sadpara's management revealed a couple of days ago that the govt and other stakeholders were employing their best efforts to seek out Sadpara and therefore the other climbers who went missing, despite him being missing for nearly 10 days. 

Sadpara's management, which operates his official Twitter account, on Monday announced that a gathering of the apex committee regarding the missing climbers' search and rescue (SAR) operation are going to be persisted Feb 17, 2021, in Gilgit.

"Please avoid any premature statements and prevent from fake reports," the management had said.

Objections rejected against Senate ticket; PM Imran Khan says Faisal Vawda has rendered services for PTI

Objections rejected against Senate ticket; PM Imran Khan says Faisal Vawda has rendered services for PTI

MNA Faisal Vawda's file photo. 

Vawda has given sacrifices for the party, say sources

PM Imran Khan to require PTI Sindh leadership into confidence today

Parliamentary board rejects objections against Vawda

ISLAMABAD: The PTI is sticking with its decision to nominate MNA Faisal Vawda as its candidate for the upcoming Senate elections, sources told Geo News on Tuesday. 

The decision was taken by during a gathering of the party's parliamentary board today with Prime Minister Imran Khan within the chair. 

Sources said during the meeting, PM Imran Khan said that Faisal Vawda had rendered services for the party. 

The ruling party's board discussed the reservations raised against the PTI members who were nominated as candidates by the party.

Sources said PM Imran Khan will address the party's Sindh leadership today and take them into confidence over the board's decisions. The premier will address the Sindh leadership via video link.

On the opposite hand, the PTI has decided to nominate Liaqat Tarakai as its candidate from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the Senate elections and has decided to require back the ticket from Najibullah Khattak, added sources.

Senate nominations of Vawda, others cause rift within PTI

The PTI's decision to offer Senate tickets to Vawda and wealthy construction contractor Saifullah Abro had created a rift among PTI leaders from Sindh. They wrote a letter to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to precise their reservations.

The ruling party has been under attack from its provincial chapter in Sindh for awarding Senate tickets to Vawda and Abro.

In the letter, PTI office-bearers from three regions said they were “extremely disappointed with the whole process” of the choice of PTI's candidates for the Senate polls.

The leaders who had signed the letter included Sadaqat Ali Jatoi [who is additionally the brother of former Sindh chief minister Liaquat Jatoi], PTI Sukkur district President Mubeen Jatoi, Allah Bux Unnar and Raja Khan Jhakrani, former provincial Secretary General Mehfooz Usrani, a former candidate from NA-214 Shaheed Benazirabad Gul Muhammad Rind, former provincial minister Agha Taimoor Khan Pathan, Papu Khan Chachar and other office-bearers.

PCB 'resolves' Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfar Ahmed's Twitter dispute

 PCB 'resolves' Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfar Ahmed's Twitter dispute

Sarfaraz Ahmed (left) and Mohammad Hafeez. — AFP/File

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) intervened in Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfaraz Ahmed's Twitter spat and "resolved" it, sources informed Geo News on Saturday.

The PCB's team management, during a meeting with the players, advised them to not enjoys such acts as they expressed their "displeasure" over the matter, sources added.

The Hafeez vs Sarfaraz debate was triggered after Hafeez’s congratulatory tweet to Muhammad Rizwan during which he had hit indirectly at his former skipper prompting a robust response from him.

Hafeez tweeted on Thursday to understand Rizwan for his ton and said, “Congratulations @iMRizwanPak on scoring T20 Hundred points. U r a Star shining star. Wonder how long u got to prove that u r NO1 wicketkeeper/Batsman in Pakistan altogether formats of the game”.

This prompted a response from Sarfaraz who has not been included within the playing XI.

“Hafeez bhai Sb, whoever has played for Pakistan from Imtiaz Ahmed, Wasim Bari, Tasleem Arif to Saleem Yousuf and from Moin Khan, Rashid Latif to Kamran Akmal and even Rizwan immediately has always been favorite for the country and are respected accordingly,” he tweeted to Hafeez.

Sarfaraz noted that everybody is behind Rizwan and wished he plays more amazing innings for Pakistan.

“Aur ayende bhee jisko bhee chance milega wo Pakistan ke liye favorite hee huga. (And whoever is given an opportunity to play would be no 1 for Pakistan).”

The former skipper also urged Hafeez to not create divisions. “We expect nothing but positiveness coming from a world player who has played numerous games for Pakistan.”

Former players and experts have also been commenting on the matter since Rizwan emerged as a pillar for the cricket team and rescued it at different occasions.

Babar Awan, Shahzad Akbar fail to secure PTI tickets for Senate polls

 Babar Awan, Shahzad Akbar fail to secure PTI tickets for Senate polls

ISLAMABAD: Two key aides of Prime Minister Imran Khan couldn't get the PTI tickets for the upcoming Senate elections because the party issued the ultimate list of its candidates for the March 3 polls.

The ruling party’s Parliamentary Board, which met here today with PM Imran Khan within the chair, didn't approve the names of Babar Awan, Shahzad Akbar, Amir Mughal and Sajjad Turi because the candidates for the hotly contested elections.

The board awarded tickets to twenty candidates.

From Balochistan, the name of Abdul Qadir (PTI-BAP joint candidate) was approved for a general seat while PM’s Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Fauzia Arshad got tickets on the overall and reserved seats respectively for Islamabad.

From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shibli Faraz, Mohsin Aziz, Zeeshan Khanzada, Faisal Saleem and Najiullah Khattak got tickets on general seats, while Dost Muhammad Mehsud and Dr Humayun Mohmand got a plow ahead to be PTI’s candidates on Technocrat seats.

Meanwhile, on reserved seats for ladies , Dr Sania Nishtar (chairperson Ehsaas Programme) and Falak Naz Chitrali are going to be the ruling party's candidates, while Gurdeep Singh would be PTI’s candidate on the reserved seat for minorities.

On general seats from Punjab, Saifullah Khan Nyazee (North Punjab), Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary (Central Punjab) and Aon Abbas Buppi (Southern Punjab) are given PTI tickets.

Barrister Ali Zafar and Dr Zarqa are the ruling party’s candidates for the technocrat seat and reserved seat for ladies , respectively.

From Sindh, where the PTI is that the second-largest party, Faisal Vawda has been awarded a ticket for a general seat while Saifullah Abrro would be the PTI’s candidate for a technocrat seat.

After police, protesters clash in Islamabad's Red Zone, govt able to give raise

 After police, protesters clash in Islamabad's Red Zone, govt able to give raise 

ISLAMABAD: the govt has agreed to a 20% raise for its employees after talks with representatives of the protesting employees in Islamabad.

Sources were quoted as saying by Geo News that the talks were held at Defence Minister Pervez Khattak's house.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has instructed the Islamabad administration to release all arrested employees immediately.

Sources say a delegation of the govt employees has been assured of a 20% increase in their salaries and therefore the release of all arrested government employees.

A notification for it's expected today (Thursday).

Khattak, Ahmed and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan participated within the talks on behalf of the govt .

Red Zone turns into a battle field

 The Constitution Avenue in Islamabad became a battlefield Wednesday when the police used force to disperse government employees staging protest seeking increase in their salaries.

The police resorted to baton charge and threw many teargas shells to disperse the agitating employees as tens of protesters were arrested and sent to lockups of various police stations. a minimum of 30 protesting employees were taken into custody under Section 16 of the upkeep of Public Order Ordinance (MPO).

The teargas shelling within the radius of three to five kilometre round the Constitution Avenue was so heavy that the people felt suffocation. All incoming roads including the Islamabad Expressway and Motorway remained closed for hours.

The Islamabad Police fired extensive tear gas at the protesting government employees once they were heading towards the Parliament House. The protesters reached the D-Chowk while the Islamabad authorities blocked the way towards the Parliament House with containers.

According to sources, demonstrators started bypassing the containers and therefore the police once more resorted to teargas shelling to disperse them. due to the teargas, some police and Rangers personnel also had to retract for a short time and fell unconscious.

The protesters demanded that the containers be removed or they might remove them on their own. The federal employees, demanding raise in their salaries, had gathered at the Constitution Avenue after their leader Rehman Bajwa and nine others were arrested overnight.

Following the arrests, the govt workers within the federal capital had announced that they might march towards the Parliament House from the Pakistan Secretariat for his or her demands and therefore the release of their leaders.

The police had resorted to teargas shelling after they made a move towards the parliament. The protesters at one point had also encircled Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz. The protesting employees also closed the doors to the Secretariat, bringing the govt machinery to a halt.

The protesters received support from government employees over Grade 17, who also demanded a rise in their salaries. The All Pakistan Clerks Association and government employees of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh also are supporting the protest.

Speaking on the matter, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the govt addressed the protesters correctly and it were the demonstrators that had gone back on the agreement. “We addressed this correctly, we are increasing the salaries of 95 percent employees at a mean of 40 percent,” the minister when asked about things said. Skeikh Rasheed said the protesters had backed out of the agreement that they had made with the federal ministers. He claimed that the govt had agreed to extend the salaries of the govt employees from Grade 1-16.

He said when the govt was close to issue the notification during this regard, the protesters demanded that the salaries of employees from grade 17-22 should even be increased which, he said, would add burden of billions of rupees to the exchequer. the inside minister also claimed that the protesters had the support of officers. He also refused to the demand of accelerating the salaries of provincial officers, clarifying that it had been not within the domain of the federal . The matter would be resolved if the protesters return to their initial demands, the inside minister said.

Official sources said that there should be a rise of 25 percent within the salaries of officials from grade 1-16 on a billboard hoc basis. They also said that the finance ministry might finalise the proposal by tonight or tomorrow and send it to the prime minister and adviser on finance for approval.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman while denouncing the arrest of protesting government employees said he accepted the democratic right of the protesters. He said this while addressing an emergency news conference at the Al-Jamiat House, Hyderabad. “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the protesters.”

Meanwhile, former president and President of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned violence and use of teargas on the govt employees and said that it had greatly pained him to ascertain what happened in D-Chowk today. Asif Ali Zardari said that folks who are just demanding a rise in their salaries shouldn't be treated like enemies. He said that he had predicted how Imran Khan would act after coming to power.

He said Imran Khan could do nothing but exploit the people. “Why does it sting the PTI government to permit a rise within the salaries of state employees,” he asked.

He said the PPP raised salaries of state employees despite facing hurdles and difficult situations. “The situation now has become so grim that tiny scale employees have fallen below the poverty level ,” he said. He stated that the country couldn't progress with the economic exploitation of the govt employees.

Also, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed solidarity with the protesting employees and asked the govt to simply accept their genuine demands with none delay. He condemned the shelling and arrests of protesting government employees and asked the govt to simply accept their genuine demands and release all the arrested employees.

Expressing solidarity with agitating government employees, the PPP chairman said that the PTI regime had resorted to highhandedness against the workers rather than taking note of their genuine grievances.

He said the PPP government had doubled the salaries of the govt employees but the PTI government had destroyed the economy through unprecedented inflation rather than giving incentives to the govt employees. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) strongly criticised the PTI government for torturing and throwing teargas on the protesting government employees.

PML-N vice chairman Maryam Nawaz Sharif slammed the govt by announcing her support to the protesting government employees and declared that the violence against government employees, use of teargas and arrests were cruel tactics of the fake government.

Maryam Nawaz said that despite the very fact that the inflation had increased fourfold , this government during the last three years had not increased one rupee within the salaries of the govt employees. She said the govt had crushed the people, especially government employees, within the mill of inflation.

“We will raise our voice against the rights of state employees and violence against them at every forum, including Parliament,” she announced. Maryam Nawaz demanded immediate release of the arrested government employees also as acceptance of their demands regarding increase in salaries.

Earlier in her twitter message she said the protesting government employees were citizens of Pakistan and therefore the government should stop tackling them violently. PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif also condemned the govt for torturing the protesting government employees. He, in his twitter message, said that his heart was bleeding as he saw the police throwing teargas on the protesting government employees.

Nawaz said during the last two and a half years, the inflation and unemployment had increased manifolds leading to putting extreme burden on the common citizens. He said if the people that brought Imran Khan into power would answer till what time the state had in touch this cruelty.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Senator Sirajul Haq strongly condemned the police crackdown and arrests of protesting government employees, asking the govt to right away address their demands and release those detained.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned brutality and use of force against protesting government employees who were demanding raise in salaries which had been denied by the federal since 2018. PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi in statement urged the govt to carry talks with government employees rather than using high handedness and using force as they were demanding pay raise which that they had been denied since long.

They said, “We stand by the workers and government employees and that we are duty sure to support their legal and constitutional rights and demands.”

A delegation of PFUJ, National Press Club and RIUJ led by former president PFUJ Afzal Butt, President NPC Shakeel Anjum and RIUJ President Amir Sajad Syed is already at the location of protest for showing solidarity with protesting government employees. PFUJ leadership appealed to the management of National Press Club to supply subsidised food from the canteen of the National Press Club and free food for detained government employees.

Respect freedom of expression in Kashmir: US tells India

 Respect freedom of expression in Kashmir: US tells India

    DUBAI: The US has urged India to lift its internet blockade in occupied Kashmir and respect freedom of expression within the occupied territory. 

These remarks were made by Zed Tarar, the US State Department's Urdu Spokesperson during an exclusive interview to Geo news. 

"Pakistan and India should compute for the reduction of tensions along the road of Control (LoC) and begin positive dialogue on the Kashmir issue," he said.

Describing both India and Pakistan as partners of the US, Tarar said that the 2 countries must comply with formulate a technique to ease tensions against each other through dialogue.

Speaking on the human rights and digital blockades in Kashmir, Zed Tarar demanded that Indian government should lift the web blockade within the region and “freedom of expression” must be respected and guarded within the valley.

Speaking about the Doga agreement on the Afghan social process , the state department spokesperson said that Washington wasn't reviewing the agreement with the intention of creating changes thereto . He said that the new US administration was scrutinizing whether or not the Taliban are complying with the terms and conditions of the Afghan social process .

“The Afghan war is nearly 20 years old and therefore the US doesn't want war”, Zed Tarar stated, adding that the US wanted peace within the region.

Tarar expressed the hope that those behind the murder of slain US journalist Daniel Pearl are going to be held accountable by the govt , adding that justice should even be seen to be happeninig.

Talking about the center East and therefore the Iran nuclear deal, Zed Tarar said that the new US administration certainly intended to rejoin the "nuclear affect Iran" but would consult its partners within the Middle East .

“Obviously, United Arab Emirates (UAE), China and European Union (EU) would be consulted“ about the Iran nuclear deal, Zed Tarar stated before returning to the deal.

He said that Biden’s administration was exploring ways to revive the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran signed with major world powers including US. But, the deal was abandoned in 2018 by former President Donald Trump, who restored sanctions over Iran.

“Currently, how Iran is complying with 2015 nuclear agreement”, Zed Tarar disclosed, adding that the nuclear deal and its associated conditions are being scrutinized before the resumption of the agreement.

No change in Pakistan’s principled position on Kashmir, says ministry

 No change in Pakistan’s principled position on Kashmir, says ministry 

The office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ISLAMABAD: The ministry has clarified that there was no change in its principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute that is still anchored within the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The statement was issued by the FO after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks in Kotli speech, where he said that Pakistan will grant the people of Azad Kashmir and Indian occupied Kashmir the proper to be a part of Pakistan or be a free state, if they so wish.

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices as enshrined within the relevant UNSC resolutions,” ministry Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri stated while responding to a media query.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his address on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day at Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reiterated Pakistan’s long-held position and support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

The prime minister repeatedly spoke about the UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and underscored the necessity for implementation of these resolutions, the spokesperson maintained.

In his Kashmir Solidarity Day speech, the prime minister also made a conditional offer for a dialogue on the Kashmir dispute to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing India, he said: "Today, I tell you again. Come resolve this Kashmir dispute with us. And for that, the primary thing you want to do is to revive Article 370. then speak to us. And then, as per the United Nations resolution, give the Kashmiris their due right.”

The premier said India can never win a war, therefore, it must reverse the steps of August 5 and end the reign of atrocities in Indian Kashmir

He added, "We are able to speak to you again. But I say this again. don't mistake our hand of friendship for weakness. This country, Pakistan, belongs to those that bow to nobody but God. We don't fear anyone but Him. So don't think we are saying this with fear.”

Pak vs SA: Babar Azam, Fawad Alam rescue Pakistan after early shocks

 Pak vs SA: Babar Azam, Fawad Alam rescue Pakistan after early shocks

Pakistan´s captain Babar Azam (R) plays an attempt as South Africa ´s wicketkeeper captain Quinton de Kock watches as teammate Dean Elgar reacts during the primary day of the second Test match of a two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 4, 2021. -AFP 

At tea, skipper Babar Azam was unbeaten on 77 with Fawad Alam on 42 not out.

Proteas are playing a match game at the Pindi Cricket Stadium after 24 years.

No changes are made to Pakistan's 17-player squad from the primary Test in Karachi.

RAWALPINDI: Skipper Babar Azam and Fawad Alam rescued Pakistan from early shocks and took the score to 145-3 at tea on the opening day of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Play couldn't be resumed after tea thanks to rain and a wet outfield, with skipper Babar Azam 77 not out, and Fawad Alam undefeated with 42.

Earlier, Spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-51) and pacer Anrich Nortje (1-30) had left Pakistan struggling on 63-3 at lunch but Azam and Alam added 123 for the unbroken fourth wicket stand to steady the innings.

Azam, who managed just seven and 30 within the first Test, returned to his stylish best, having thus far punched 12 boundaries in his 16th Test half-century.

Alam, who scored a fighting hundred within the first Test, was steady with five hits to the fence.

Earlier, Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, reached 21 without loss before discard three wickets for one run within the space of 23 balls.

Maharaj, brought into the attack in only the ninth over, had opener Imran Butt caught behind for 15 then trapped senior batsman Azhar Ali leg-before for nought in his next over.

Nortje then produced a pointy rising delivery to Abid Ali, (six) whose fended push was caught smartly at short-leg by Aiden Markram.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the primary Test in Karachi by seven wickets.

Weather update: PMD says Pakistan to ascertain colder February than usual

 Weather update: PMD says Pakistan to ascertain colder February than usual

The minimum temperature in Karachi was recorded at 11.5°C. Photo: File

The minimum temperature in Karachi was recorded at 11.5°C.

Moreover, the minimum temperature is predicted to stay between 9°C and 11°C today.

On the opposite hand, PMD has predicted dry weather within the northern and mountainous areas of Balochistan.

The weather is probably going to be colder than usual in February across Pakistan, the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) said on Sunday.

As per details, the minimum temperature in Karachi was recorded at 11.5°C while the minimum temperature is predicted to stay between 9°C and 11°C today. 

In addition, the humidity within the metropolis has been recorded at 72%, with light winds expected to blow from the southwestern direction till evening today.

On the opposite hand, PMD has predicted dry weather within the northern and mountainous areas of Balochistan. 

The weather department said that the temperature is probably going to drop by most parts of Balochistan, adding that -1°C was recorded in Quetta yesterday, whereas -3°C was the temperature recorded in Kalat.

Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the weather department is predicted to stay partly cloudy conditions are often expected in most parts of the province including the town of Peshawar. 

The minimum temperature in Peshawar has been recorded at 2°C, whereas, humidity is 74%.

First coronavirus vaccine tranche to arrive in Pakistan from China today

 First coronavirus vaccine tranche to arrive in Pakistan from China today

A special plane has been sent to China to bring back to Pakistan its first tranche of coronavirus vaccines, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday. 

The development was discussed at a gathering of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) held in Islamabad.

The coronavirus monitoring centre discussed intimately about the government's vaccine administration strategy across Pakistan, administrative measures, and particularly the movement of the initial tranche of the vaccine.

Earlier this month, the Drug regulatory agency of Pakistan (DRAP) gave the authorisation for both — the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm, and therefore the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

A day earlier, NCOC chief Asad Umar on Saturday broke the great news that COVAX has indicated a supply of up to 17 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for Pakistan within the half of 2021.

Read more: 'Good news': Asad Umar says Pakistan can expect 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine this year

"Good news on COVID vaccine front. Received a letter from COVAX of [an] indicative supply of up to 17 million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021," Umar wrote on Twitter.

According to the design minister, six million of the entire 17 million doses are going to be received by March with delivery starting in February. He didn't specify any dates.

"We signed with COVAX nearly eight months back to make sure availability," he added.

In pictures: Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari ties the knot with Mahmood Chaudhry

 In pictures: Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari ties the knot with Mahmood Chaudhry

Former president Asif Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto with groom Mahmood Choudhry.

KARACHI: it had been a standard affair at the marriage of Bakhtawar Bhutto with the UAE-based businessman Mahmood Choudhry, pictures of the event shared on social media showed.

Bakhtawar's Nikkah was held at the Bilawal House on Friday, while the Barat is scheduled for today (January 30). Her wedding celebrations started on January 24 with a Mehfil-e-Milad.

During the nikah ceremony, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his younger sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari received the guests, with the proud father Asif Ali Zardari also present on the occasion.

The Nikah was solemnised by the spiritual and non secular personality belonging to Thatta Al-Haj Ghulam Mohammad Soho.

Traditional wedding

In one among the photographs , Bakhtwar is seen signing the Nikah documents during a traditional 'Rasm' with an overstretched delicate dupatta adding to the glamour and shimmery magic of the bridal attire.

Bakhtawar Bhutto signing Nikah documents.

Bakhtwar was wearing a beige and gold embellished traditional dress with subtle touch of up to date . She also persisted to a contrasting clutch (purse) with gold work too.

The pictures show a proud and beaming Bilawal sitting together with his sister signing the documents.

In another picture of the event, he's seen sitting with the groom Mahmood Choudhry while the groom is wearing a minimalist off white Sherwani on a crisp white Kurta with a complimenting white traditional ‘Kullah.’

The Rukhsati was traditionally set with Bilawal holding Holy Quran over his sister. it had been a mix of tradition and ritual. The ceremony was an intimate friends and family affair.

Bakhtawar Bhutto with groom Mahmood Chaudhry.

Some of the noteworthy participants of the event included aunts Sanam Bhutto, Faryal Talpur, Dr Asim Hussain, Anwer Majeed, Sherry Rehman, Shazia Marri. The dinner comprised delectable and aromatic Chicken Tikka, succulent Malai Boti, smoky Dhaga Kebab, intense and spicy Kata kat, and other tantalizing items. Bilawal Bhutto and Aseefa Bhutto received the guests.

Happiest moment

Taking to Twitter, Bilawal expressed his happiness and said that it had been the simplest time he had in years, and he wished the simplest for the couple.

"Happiest moment in a few years to ascertain my sister @BakhtawarBZ getting married. Felt like our mother was watching over us during this moment of joy," Bilawal said.

The PPP spokesperson said that PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has suspended his political activities for every week to participate in his sister’s wedding.

Who is Mahmood Choudhry?

Bakhtawar and Mahmood exchanged rings two months ago on November 27, 2020, in an intimate ceremony held at the Bilawal House where a limited number of individuals were invited to the event.

According to the PPP's media cell, Dubai-based Choudhary is that the son of Mohammad Younas Choudhary and Begum Suriya Choudhary and manages a diversified business. The family hails "from the old town of Lahore, Pakistan."

Sindh reduces time for 2021 matric, intermediate exams by an hour

 Sindh reduces time for 2021 matric, intermediate exams by an hour

KARACHI: Sindh has decided to scale back the duration of matric and intermediate board exams from three hours to 2 hours for tutorial year 2021, provincial education minister Saeed Ghani said Saturday.

He was announcing the choices made during a gathering of the committee regarding educational activities in province amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The dates for matric and intermediate board exams, summer vacations and begin of the new school year were announced.

Strict standard operating procedures are going to be implemented to limit the spread of coronavirus, Ghani said.

These were a number of the committee's decisions:

Annual examinations for matric and intermediate will start from July

Matric board exams are going to be from Dominion Day to July 15, while intermediate exams are going to be from July 28 to August 16

Exams for college kids of pre-primary to class eight are going to be conducted in June

Practicals are going to be held before exams in June

New school year for public sector educational institutions will start from August 2, 2021

Summer vacations are going to be in July

Paper pattern for board exams: half the exam will contains multiple-choice questions, while 30% will have short questions and 20% long questions

No more manual visa processing, decide Pakistan High Commission in London and UK consulates

 No more manual visa processing, decide Pakistan High Commission in London and UK consulates

Only online visa forms are going to be processed between Pakistan and Birmingham, Bradford, Glasgow and Manchester after February, 2021.

Manual processing of visas won't be entertained, it had been decided between the Pakistan High Commission in London and UK consulates.

The decision to discontinue manual processing of visa cases is in line with the Pakistan government's effort to encourage online visa applications.

Pakistan has provided online visa application facility for 192 countries, consistent with a press release made by Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed earlier this month.

All visa applications are required to be processed through the web visa portal only.

After students demand online exams, HEC says universities to make a decision mode of assessment

 After students demand online exams, HEC says universities to make a decision mode of assessment

The logo of the upper Education Commission (HEC). — Twitter

It is up to the schools to make a decision whether or not they want to conduct in-person or online exams, the upper Education Commission (HEC) said Wednesday, as protests by students against on-campus examinations continue.

In a long Twitter thread, the HEC said that it's taken notice of students' concerns regarding in-person examinations.

"The apprehensions of scholars were reviewed carefully in consultation with the vice-chancellors of all the provinces and regions, keeping in sight the difficulties caused by the pandemic and opening of universities from February 01, 2021," HEC said.

Reminding folks that it had issued guidelines earlier, HEC said that it's allowed universities to use their discretion to conduct exams — either on-campus or online as long because the chosen mode provides "a fair assessment of students’ performance."

Speaking about how universities could conduct online exams, HEC said that they might be taken if the varsities administered ‘open book exams’ or established an invigilation system during a supervised environment.

"In this mode, universities also will need to use Turnitin (a plagiarism software) to see the similarity index with web and therefore the answers of other students," the body said, adding that the tutorial institutions should take viva or oral exams where necessary.

Moreover, the HEC warned the schools that on-campus exams could only be conducted under strict compliance with all of the COVID-19 protocols. Universities can also need to organise make-up classes for 2 weeks just in case students find the course coverage lacking.

"Assessment of all courses requiring psychomotor skills, like medicine and engineering, and subjects involving lab/studio work, must be held on-campus," it said.

All students during a single course are going to be examined within the same mode—either on-line or on-campus, it said.

HEC said that since March 2020 it had been monitoring the pandemic situation and coordinated with universities to minimise academic disruption and continue online education with quality safeguards.

"The HEC Guidance on Online Readiness (#5) and Assessments and Examinations (#6) are available on the HEC website and supply the wants and minimum standards to be observed by universities," it added.

PIA plane seized in Malaysia over lease dispute released

 PIA plane seized in Malaysia over lease dispute released

KARACHI: A Kuala Lumpur court on Wednesday ordered to release the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft which was seized over a lease dispute earlier this month.

According to a PIA spokesperson, the airline reached an agreement with the leasing firm for an settlement after which the court issued the discharge order.

"The airline will bring the plane back to the country as a billboard flight that PIA staff is being sent to Malaysia," he said.

Malaysian authorities seized the Boeing 777 aircraft on Jan 15 after a court allowed an application by the plane's lessor, Peregrine Aviation Charlie Limited, to stay it grounded pending the result of a $14 million lease dispute with PIA during a UK court.

The Kuala Lumpur supreme court ordered the immediate release of the plane after each side said that they had reached an amicable settlement to the dispute, involving two planes leased to the PIA, a lawyer representing the airline told a press agency .

"Peregrine has agreed to withdraw its suit against PIAC (Pakistan International Airlines Corp) and for the injunction orders to be put aside ," said PIA counsel Kwan Will Sen.

"With this, the 2 Boeing aircraft operated by PIAC would be released with immediate effect."

The two jets were leased to PIA by Dublin-based AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor, in 2015. they're a part of a portfolio that AerCap sold to Peregrine Aviation Co Ltd, an investment unit of NCB Capital, the brokerage arm of National full service bank SJSC, in 2018.

Last week, the PIA informed a judge at the London supreme court that it's paid around $7 million (Rs1.124 billion) to the Peregrine Aviation Charlie Limited within the case concerning two jets leased thereto by the corporate .

During the hearing, lawyers for both the PIA and therefore the airliner had sought an adjournment to a later date within the hope that the complete amount are going to be paid through an agreement without the court issuing any order against the PIA.

The court heard that the PIA didn’t make payments since it asked for the amendment to its claim in July. The court was told the PIA owed $580,000 per month to the airliner but it didn’t pay and initiated litigation.

The leasing company had filed a case against the PIA within the London supreme court in October 2020 for its failure to pay the leasing fee worth about $14 million, which had been pending for 6 months.

In response, the PIA had maintained that since the COVID-19 pandemic affected the aviation industry, there should be a discount within the overhead charges.

Saeed Ghani asks how sensitive letter sent to PM comes on media

 Saeed Ghani asks how sensitive letter sent to PM comes on media

KARACHI: Sindh Education and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani has said every participant of the last meeting of the Karachi Transformation Committee (KTC) witnessed the alleged insulting attitude of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi.

Responding to queries of media persons while speaking at a news conference here on Saturday, Saeed Ghani said that he had himself attended the meeting of the KTC and no swearing (use of insulting remarks) happened at the meeting.

He said the Sindh CM didn't answer Ali Zaidi’s insulting attitude. “But he (the CM) did complain to Asad Umar, saying that he would write a letter to prime minister,” said Ghani. He said that neither the CM nor any of his cabinet members discussed this issue since January 16 (when the last meeting of KTC took place). “Even we didn’t realize the letter sent to the prime minister by chief minister being a confidential document,” he said. He said the letter was a confidential communication. He said that a federal minister had leaked the contents of the letter in question and also provided an equivalent to the media showing his incompetence and ineligibility for such a high office. “The recent incident also exposed the work done by them thus far for the event of Karachi. In my very own viewpoint, such an individual shouldn’t be a member of the (Karachi Transformation) committee nor even be the member of the cupboard ,” he said. He urged the PM to seem into the incident on how contents of a confidential letter sent to him had been leaked and also given to the media.

CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah and federal minister Ali Zaidi locked in war of words

 CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah and federal minister Ali Zaidi locked in war of words

KARACHI: The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, sent a proper letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan about the alleged insulting behaviour of Federal Minister Ali Zaidi within the last meeting of Karachi Transformation Committee held at the CM House the previous week while Ali Zaidi, responding to the letter, said the letter in question showed mala fide intent and arrogance of the Sindh CM and revealed that no movement on the bottom had taken place on Karachi's basic civic issues.

The CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah wrote: "I wish to state as that as citizens, politicians and holders of important Constitutional offices, it's our duty to conduct ourselves during a manner which is respectful not only towards people but also the general public office we hold and represent. Through our actions, we should exhibit conduct which may be followed and exemplified by others.

"That supported our meeting of September 2020, a development plan for Karachi was announced. it had been during this context a committee was also constituted, comprising three representatives each of the federal and provincial governments. The committee, which also included Zaidi, was tasked with the difficulty namely to get rid of bottlenecks which are available the way of development projects in Karachi, especially that specialize in better coordination between the federal and Sindh government (despite all political differences).

"That on January 16, 2021, another meeting of the committee happened at the Chief Minister's House, Karachi. However, towards the top of the meeting, Zaidi acted during a hostile and belligerent manner within the presence of all the members of the committee towards the undersigned which though warranted an instantaneous response except for the sake of the committee's overlying objective also because the office that the undersigned holds, Zaidi's unruly behaviour, which under no stretch of imagination are often deemed together expected from a federal minister, was ignored. That this is often clearly not the primary time that Zaidi has shown such arrogance and belligerence at public forums, which is unbecoming of any citizen including a federal minister.

He claimed that through this letter, he was registering his protest against Zaidi's behavior "expecting that your office will take some action and in future, maturity (to some extent), inter alia, are going to be seen as merit for appointments at such high positions."

In response to CM Sindh's letter to PM Khan, Federal Minister Ali Haider Zaidi has also written a letter in response.

The letter reads, “Sir, i would like to state on record that the accusations levelled against me by CM Sindh of unruly behavior and of acting during a hostile and belligerent manner within the meeting of the Committee on the Karachi development plan, show a transparent mala fide intent. I also wish to register my strong protest on the tone and tenor of his letter, which shows his arrogance and disrespect for the Honorable Prime Minister's office also as towards federal ministers.

"We are a part of the committee constituted to oversee the Karachi development plan and it's our duty not only to deliver tasks assigned to us during a timely manner but also to hunt reasons for delays and invite timelines for completion of varied parts of this development plan.

"At the top of the meeting, I reminded CM Sindh yet once more to satisfy his commitment for the devolution of institutions like Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to the divisional and district levels and to incorporate this within the minutes of the meeting along side a timeline for accomplishing these tasks. He repeatedly refused to think about this despite my repeating the request to him 3 times . whenever his response was i'm not answerable to you. the very fact is that i used to be not there in my private capacity but representing the Federation and admittedly he's answerable to the members of the committee, especially on initiatives where the Federation is undertaking the project in terms of monetary and ministerial support. additionally , i'm an elected MNA from Karachi, the town where the event project is being undertaken. So, CM Sindh was duty sure to give me the answers, i used to be seeking.

"The CM Sindh had committed to devolving relevant institutions to the divisional levels in various discussions over the last six months but nothing has moved thereon thus far . He consistently dodges the discussion of devolution that's imperative for a metropolis like Karachi and other divisions of Sindh.

"So his accusations are merely an effort to evade accountability on the delays he and his government are indulging in deliberately. The hypocrisy and incompetence of his government for over a decade has nothing to point out except loot and plunder. The federal has gone the additional length to assist him improve the infrastructure of Karachi and assist within the development of Sindh — a province that continues to bleed financially thanks to enormous corruption and suffers neglect at the hands of the provincial PPP government.

"No movement on the bottom has taken place on these basic civic issues. Instead, the CM Sindh has kept the committee simply lecture hide the utter incompetence or malevolence of the Sindh government.

"It isn't the responsibility of the federal or its agencies to continuously undertake these civic tasks while the Sindh Government continues to vacillate on its responsibilities and evade what it's required to try to to ," he said.