Siasat Wala Blog

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s decision of not attending Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s meeting, ARY News reported on Friday. Yesterday, the leader of the opposition appealed the government not to attend the OIC meeting, in protest against the decision to invite Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Sawaraj.  Addressing the joint session of the Parliament, Shehbaz Sharif thanked FM Qureshi for giving respect to the house’s sentiments and deciding not to attend the OIC meeting. He described it is a good decision but stressed that we should also stress upon our friendly countries to stop Sushma Sawaraj to attend the meeting. Earlier today, Qureshi announced in a joint session of the Parliament that Pakistan will not attend the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Abu Dhabi, against invitation to  Sushma Swaraj. Read more:  FM Qureshi announces not to attend OIC meeti

LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan is reaching Lahore today (Friday), where he will chair the meeting of Punjab cabinet, ARY News reported. According to well-informed sources, PM Imran Khan will be briefed about the ongoing development schemes in the province, while matters pertaining to tensions with India will also come under discussion. The premier will also meet Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar. In his last visit to Lahore on December 22, 2018, Prime Minister Imran Khan also chaired a meeting of the Punjab cabinet and reviewed performance of the ministers. Prime minister directed the provincial ministers to make sure serving the people of the province without any discrimination. Read more:  PM Khan chairs high-level meetings in Lahore Following the provincial cabinet session, the premier addressed a ceremony of textile exporters. He said that government was trying to overcome the current financial crunch, which was inherited by the previous government of the Pakistan Musli

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir is expected in Islamabad on Friday, to convey an important message of Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman to Pakistan. The development comes after a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Adel al-Jubeir about regional peace. The Saudi foreign minister was earlier scheduled to visit Pakistan on Thursday (yesterday) along with an important message from the crown prince. However, his trip was later scheduled for today, sources said. During phone conversation, Adel al-Jubeir expressed concerns over the recent escalations between India and Pakistan while urging to dissolve the crisis in the region. Sources said, the most likely purpose of the Saudi official’s visit is to ease the tensions between the two nuclear-armed states. Read more:  Saudi crown prince, foreign minister dismiss Indian allegations on Pakistan It is pertinent to mention that the situation between India and Pakistan turned hostile in a ti

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday challenged the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict on his petition seeking bail on medical grounds, ARY News reported. The high court on Feb 25 had rejected Sharif’s plea seeking suspension of sentence in Al-Azizia reference on medical grounds. Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris filed a petition in Supreme Court today to challenge the IHC decision. Sharif, in his petition, has made the federation, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the accountability court judge and the superintendent jail as parties in the case. The petition said that the petitioner has been imprisoned and suffering from serious health problems, for which several medical tests were conducted. The plea said that the high court failed to use its authority and committed an error in exercise of its authority while giving the decision. The petition also argued that the high court resorted to wrong application of the parameters set by the Supreme Court and

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday announced that he is not going to attend Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled in Abu Dhabi. “Pakistan has shown its reservations over inviting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Sawaraj and informed OIC’s secretary general in this regard,” he said while addressing on the floor of the joint session of the Parliament. Qureshi said he wrote two letters to the OIC secretary general and requested the OIC to reconsider its invitation to Sushma Sawaraj of attending the meeting or adjourn the session. Mentioning that the “United Arab Emirates (UAE)  has always helped Pakistan in difficult times”, Qureshi noted with regret that despite Pakistan’s protest, the OIC’s invitation to Swaraj was not rescinded. “I have [therefore] decided not to attend OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Abu Dhabi,” the foreign minister announced. Read more:  World community at UN wants deescalation of te

MOSCOW: Russia is ready to mediate between India and Pakistan to try to calm tensions between the two nuclear powers, Russian government officials said on Thursday, warning of the risk of further clashes between the two countries. Moscow made the offer after Pakistan said it was considering returning a captured Indian pilot and as US President Donald Trump said American mediation was helping to defuse the crisis. Russian President Vladi­mir Putin told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a phone call that he hopes for a quick settlement of the crisis between India and Pakistan, the Kremlin said in a statement. Russia has particularly close relations with India which buys large quantities of Russian military equipment while its relationship with Pakistan has warmed in recent years. Read more:  Pompeo urges India, Pakistan to exercise restraint When asked on Thursday if Russia was ready to help mediate the two countries, the TASS news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

KARACHI: In view of the tensions with India Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed till 1:00 pm on Friday, ARY News reported. According to the aviation sources Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed until 1:00 pm today. All the domestic and international travelers have been notified, said an official, requesting anonymity. The Civil Aviation Authority has also informed the International Air Transport Association (IATA) headquarters about it, sources said. The flight operations were suspended in the country on Wednesday after tensions soared with neighboring India, sources said. Two warplanes of India were downed by Pakistan Air Force after their intrusion in the country’s airspace, officials said. All domestic and international flights were suspended at the airports of the country including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan. Indian media had also reported suspension of flights in Occupied Kashmir and India’s Punjab having border with Pakistan. The civilian

NEW YORK: Secretary General United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres on Friday hailed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to release the c aptured Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthman . On Feb 27, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after striking down two Indian fighter jets arrested one pilot, who ejected himself after being hit in the airspace of Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.  “The report of the release of the Indian pilot by the Pakistani authorities would be very much a welcome step,” the UN chief’s Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said at the regular briefing at UN Headquarters in New York. The Secretary-General is in touch with both Pakistan and India at various levels and we would encourage both parties to do whatever we can to defuse the tensed situation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in the South Asia. Read more:   Pakistani and foreign celebrities laud PM Khan on the release of Indian pilot Pakistan will release captured Indian pilot Abhinandan on Friday (today) a

NEW YORK: Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi briefed the United Nations about the continuing tensions resulting from India’s aggression against Pakistan, despite Prime Minister Imran Khan’s peace gesture in announcing the release of captive Indian pilot. “The onus now is on India to de-escalate the situation”, she said in an interview with APP after a meeting with Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti , chief of staff of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Thursday evening “Pakistan now expects India to make a reciprocal gesture and respond to the offer for a dialogue,” she said. Following the Feb. 14 Pulwama incident, Prime Minister Khan offered investigation if “actionable” evidence was provided but none has been forthcoming. He also proposed discussions and dialogue, but India responded by launching an attack on Pakistan in violation of UN Charter and international law, posing a threat to international peace and security. Read More:  Trump says hopefully India, Pakistan conflict coming

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said Pakistan desires for peace in the region and decision to release Indian fighter pilot is a gesture to de-escalate the situation between the two neighbours in the South Asia.     In an interview with CNN, he said India had provoked the situation by violating Pakistan’s airspace and international laws. The foreign minister said Pakistan never wanted escalation as Prime Minister Imran Khan has said several times that we will take two steps, if India takes one. Qureshi made it clear that Pakistan will not allow any organization or individual to use its soil against any country including India. Commenting on the Pulwama incident, the FM said if India has solid evidence, it should sit and talk over it with Islamabad. He said that United Nations and the US can play a significant role in de-escalation of tensions in the region. Answering a query, the foreign minister said Pakistan was working for peace and reconciliation

ISLAMABAD: The joint session of the Parliament in the wake of soaring tensions between India and Pakistan, will continue on Friday for the second day with Speaker Asad Qaisar in chair, ARY News reported. The leaders of parliamentary parties will speak in the session today as a resolution on the situation will likely be tabled in the Parliament. Prime Minister Imran Khan while addressing the joint parliamentary session on Thursday, announced to release the captured Indian pilot, Abhinandan Kumar, as a gesture of peace. After presenting tribute to the opposition and the entire nation for standing united during the critical time, PM Khan asserted “to not misconstrue Pakistan’s desire for de-escalation as weakness.” He again urged India not to go beyond present point of aggression as all issues should be resolved through dialogue. “Countries are ruined because of miscalculation. War is not a solution. If India takes any action, we will have to retaliate,” PM Khan vehemently said. “Th

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will release captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday (today) as a gesture of peace in order to de-escalate the soaring tensions with New Delhi. The big announcement was made on Thursday by Prime Minister Imran Khan at a joint session of parliament, summoned to send a strong message to India that the nation is united in the face of Indian belligerent acts. Abhinandan would be handed over at Wagah border crossing to officials of the Indian High Commission, sources said. On Feb 27, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after striking down two Indian fighter jets arrested one pilot, who ejected himself after being hit in the airspace of Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir — something that came as an unexpected setback for India. Read More:  Trump says hopefully India, Pakistan conflict coming to an end Pakistan military released a video statement of captured Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan. “I’m wing commander Abhinandan and my service number is 27981,” the arres

ISLAMABAD: Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Thursday said that Beijing partnerships would be given preference in new railway projects. The federal minister expressed his views while meeting with Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing where they held discussions over ongoing projects initiated between Pakistan and China. Both personalities emphasised discussion over early completion of the design study of Peshawar-Karachi ML-1 project. Rasheed said the 1800-km-long railway track project, ML-1, which would be completed in five years with the cost of $8 billion, possessed eminent importance for Pakistan Railways and national economy. He reiterated that the Gwadar port project will bring revolutionary prosperity in the region. He expressed hopes for a conclusive agreement between Pakistan and China during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan scheduled in April. Early completion of ML-1 and ML-2 projects will establish railway link in central Asian countri

DUBAI: A comfortable chase lead Karachi Kings to an easy victory against Lahore Qalandars in 20th match played at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, ARY News reported.  Kings successfully chased 135-run target for five wickets in the crucial match despite a slumping start after fall of its openers, Babar Azam and Colin Munro, with the difference of 7 runs at 21 in second over. The last over chase concluded with five balls remaining with skipper Imad Wasim and Iftikhar Ahmed on the crease. Liam Livingstone and Iftikhar Ahmed’s 38-off 34 and 33-off 25 were crucial for Karachi to claim the match against Lahore. Livingstone’s inning was ended by Yasir Shah. Slogger Colin Ingram, who hammered first-ever and sole century in PSL 2019, sent off by Harif Rauf in 12th over, restricting him to stabilise on the crease for exhibiting vital role in Kings’ chase. Earlier, Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first citing pitch conditions. Kings have so far showed glimpses of br

Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that Pakistani pilgrims stranded in the kingdom due to their flights’ cancellation will be the guests of the ministry, ARY News reported on Friday.  In a message on Twitter, the ministry said that: “Under the leadership of the Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain and on behalf of the Saudi Government and the Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani Umrah pilgrims stuck in the holy cities are guests of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide them comfort, until the flights to Pakistan are resumed. “. خادم حرمین شریفین کی قیادت میں سعودی حکومت اور جناب ولی عہد کی طرف سے ضیوف الرحمن کو آرام وراحت پہنچانے کی خواھش کے تحت جب تک پاکستان کےلئے فلائٹ کا سلسلہ دوبارہ شروع نہ ھو تب تک حرمین شریفین میں پھنسے ھوئے پاکستانی معتمرین سعودی وزارت حج و عمرہ کے مہمان ھوں گے — وزارة الحج والعمرة (@HajMinistry) February 28, 2019 Pakistan had closed its airspace on Wednesday after tensions with India escalated following the violation of Pakistan’s territorial bou

ANKARA: Turkey’s military conducted the second day of its largest naval exercise in its history on Thursday, carrying out drills with frigates, corvettes and submarines in the Black Sea, Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. The nine-day exercise is aimed at testing the readiness of command bases and operation centers throughout Turkey’s territorial waters, the defense ministry said. On board the frigate TCG Barbaros, gunners fired live ammunition at mock targets floating on the waves. Nearby, helicopters lowered soldiers onto a ship’s deck, while other personnel deployed a remotely operated underwater vehicle. Read More: Pakistan Navy holds joint exercise with Turkish Navy: spokesman The Barbaros was deployed in the Aegean Sea north of the Gallipoli peninsula, close to Turkey’s land border with Greece. The two NATO allies came to the brink of war in 1996 in a sovereignty dispute over islets in the Aegean. As part of the drill, the Turkish bases are also planning operations and testi

ISLAMABAD: Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Thursday said that Pakistan Railways was facing a severe financial crisis and termed lack of investment as key issue being faced by the department. Rasheed made the statement during a briefing session by development projects to the Senate Standing Committee on Railways. He said that the final decision regarding ML-1 has not been made so far despite the provision of Rs4 billion. However, the department was out of funds to fulfil the demand for additional Rs7 billion for its designing. He said that secret of Gwadar’s successfulness was railway track but not the road network and China has also agreed with Pakistan’s stance. He announced inclusion Quetta, Taftan, Herat, Kandahar routes in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project after discussions with Beijing in the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan expected on April 27 this year. Read More: ML-1 up-gradation to bring economic revolution in country: Sheikh Rasheed W

NEW DELHI: Unearthing the real truth, an Indian defence analyst on Thursday turned down the New Delhi’s claims bout shooting down a Pakistani F-16 jet. During a live TV show, an anchor showed the picture of a part of a fighter jet and claimed that it was the exact same part of that Pakistani F-16, which was drowned by the Indian forces. Replying to the TV anchor, he said,” I do not think that it is entirely accurate. That part is actually a MiG-21 part.” He said that the engine which was shown here was called JEF-100 and it was not used in F-16. The defence analyst said that Pakistan used platinum Whitney and the platinum Whitney was in diamond pattern so that it cannot either be the engine cowling nor can be the ribs that hold the entice because the F-161 anterior looks very different. Read More:  Google exposes authenticity of attack’s video shared by Indian media It is pertinent to mention here that the video of so called ‘cross border strike’, being played by Indian media is

The new United Nations envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, proposed Thursday that major powers create a common international forum to move the war-battered country toward peace. Pedersen, who took up his post in January, made the proposal during his first appearance before the UN Security Council, which remains deeply divided over the way forward in Syria. “There is a shared sense that battlefield developments might be winding down,” Pedersen told the council. “Nevertheless, the conflict is far from over.” “If we are to see how issues can be unblocked and how to help the parties move in a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process, a common forum where key states engage seriously on those issues may be needed,” he said. Russia, a veto-wielding council power whose backing for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been a decisive factor in the war, has taken a lead role in diplomatic efforts through the Astana group with Iran and Turkey. UN diplomacy on Syria has been largely sidelined by the

When on one hand Indian media, government, and celebrities are leaving no stones unturned, trying to put all blame on Pakistan ending up looking legit nincompoops, the Pakistani government, army, media, and all the celebrities are replying with utter humility and logic, trying to cater the message of peace across the border in lieu of perpetuating war rhetoric. Related:  Pakistani Celebrities uphold the message of peace by PM Khan, DG ISPR Amid a plethora of applaud and praise, Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke about the release of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Anhinandan, who was captured yesterday, while addressing the parliament joint session today. As soon as his address ended, the decision received exceptional admiration on social media too. Apart from abundant Pakistanis, a lot of celebrities has also taken to Twitter to commend the Prime Minister. The dapper, Faysal Quraishi says that the Premier “is winning hearts.” Nonstop he is winning hearts .. @ImranKhanPTI ..tomorr

Israel’s attorney general announced Thursday he intended to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in a decision just weeks ahead of April elections. The long-awaited announcement will further shake up the turbulent political campaign and threaten Netanyahu’s long tenure at the top of Israeli politics. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said in a statement that he intended to charge the premier pending a hearing, where Netanyahu would be given a chance to defend himself before charges are filed. The announcement comes ahead of April 9 elections in which Netanyahu is facing a tough challenge from a centrist political alliance headed by a respected former military chief of staff, Benny Gantz. Netanyahu, who rejects all accusations, was due to speak at 1800 GMT and his right-wing Likud party called the allegations “political persecution.” “Unilateral publication of the attorney general’s announcement just a month before the electio

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to provide a copy of reference to Dr Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, the former vice-chancellor of Sargodha University. Hearing the bail plea of former vice-chancellor (VC) Dr Muhammad Akram Chaudhry in a case pertaining to establishment of illegal campus, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that degrees were issues to such people, who were not capable to pass matric examination. He said that the former vice chancellor had opened many illegal campus of the university. Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that the current VC of the university had told the court that thousands of fake degrees were released from the university. He asked Muhammad Akram’s counsel that how could the university open new campus? The lawyer apprised the court that according to the rules, the university was allowed to open new campus. Responding to another question, he said that the degrees were not issued in Muhammad Akram Chaudhry’s tenure. Read Mo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted a new rain spell and snowfalls in Pakistan from Friday and it will likely to persist till Monday, ARY News reported on Thursday. According to the met office report, in the initial phase, heavy rains with thunderstorm is expected at scattered places in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Punjab and Gilgit Baltistan between Friday and Monday. Read More: 13 people die in rain-related incidents across Pakistan Widespread rain-thunderstorm is expected at many places in Balochistan from Thursday’s night to Sunday while heavy rainfall with strong wind will persist in Sindh parts during Friday and Saturday under the influence of new weather system. The wet spell will continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir from Friday till Monday. Snowfall is also likely at the mountainous region of Pakistan’s Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit Baltistan (G-B) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P),

British Airways announced a multi-billion dollar order for up to 42 Boeing 777 fuel-efficient passenger jets on Thursday, just two weeks after Airbus said it would no longer make its A380 superjumbo. BA-parent IAG said its British carrier would purchase 18 777-9 planes made by the US giant, while an option for a further 24 of the aircraft could bring the total cost to $18.6 billion (16.3 billion euros) at list prices before the usual heavy discounts are factored in. It comes as IAG, which owns several airlines including Iberia and Aer Lingus, said that group net profits last year soared 45 per cent to 2.9 billion euros on higher passenger numbers and lower costs. Separately, UK engineering group Rolls-Royce said it dived into a net loss last year as its Trent jet engines were hit by costly repairs – as well as the decision by Boeing’s European rival Airbus to pull the plug on the A380. IAG on Thursday said the 777s would replace BA’s Boeing 747s, which were seen as a competitor to

SRINAGAR: Terming Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to release the captured Indian pilot as a gesture of peace, occupied Kashmir’s former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti urged New Delhi to reciprocate in the same gesture. Praising PM Imran Khan, Mehbooba Mufti said that the decision to release the Indian pilot, who was captured by Pakistan after an air strike conducted by New Delhi in Pakistani territory this week, made pleased not only the pilot’s family but the entire Indian nation. She said that Pakistani premier showed a great gesture of peace and reconciliation and emphasized the New Delhi’s leadership to give response in the same way. Read More: ‘Excellent, statesmanlike speech’: India appreciates PM Imran Khan’s address Criticizing the Indian media, Mehbooba Mufti said, “Some of our TV channels are trying to demean the great goodwill gesture for reconciliation and peace shown by Pakistani leadership.” In a video statement, she said that people of occupied Kashmir were the

SIBI: Shikarpur police on Thursday claimed to have killed the provincial leader of outlawed Daesh [Islamic State] and his accomplice in a gun battle here in Sibi on Thursday, ARY News reported. The wanted terrorists who were killed in police encounter were identified as Hafeez Pandrani and his accomplice Abdullah Brohi. Read More: Sehwan shrine attack death toll rises to 80 Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Larkana Irfan Baloch told media that the militants were most-wanted following their involvement in different terror-related incidents including an attack on a Shikarpur Imam Bargah in 2015, the 2017 blast at shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, and several target killings. “Hafeez Pandrani ran Daesh network in Sindh. He was also mastermind of Sehwan and Shikarpur’s Imam Bargah blasts”, DIG Baloch informed. Moreover, Pandrani also targeted slain Ibrahim Jatoi (former lawmaker of National Peoples Party and tribal chief of Jatoi tribe) as well, while brother of the kill