Daily News Pakistan

In a major reshuffle, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday appointed Ambassador Munir Akram as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office. Mr. Akram will replace Dr. Maleeha Lodhi who has presently been serving as Pakistan’s UN envoy in New York. According to the statement, Prime Minister Khan also approved other key appointments as Khalil Ahmad Hashmi, presently serving as director general (UN) at the foreign ministry was appointed as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva. Muhammad Aejaz, additional secretary (AIT) at the MoFA was appointed as Ambassador of Pakistan to Hungary. Syed Sajjad Haider, presently serving as Charge d’ Affaires of Pakistan to Pyongyang, was posted as Ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait. Imran Ahmad Siddiqui, presently serving as Consul General of Pakistan Toronto has been posted as High Commissioner of Pakistan for Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ahsan K.K. Wagan, presently servi

Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), Lieutenant General Fahad Bin Abdullah Mohammad Al-Motair called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release that during the meeting, matters of mutual interests including regional security situation were discussed. The COAS affirmed Pakistan Army’s support towards capacity building and training of the RSLF. The RSLF Lt Gen Al-Motiar expressed his appreciation for Pakistan Army’s professionalism and efforts towards regional stability.

Punjab Governor Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar says a shipment of relief goods is being dispatched to Azad Kashmir for the assistance of quake victims. Talking to media , he said a caravan of trucks, packed with relief items including food, medicines, and tents, has been set out with the cooperation of well-to-do people and traders. He said these consignments will reach the tremor-hit areas of AJK tonight. He said he will visit Azad Kashmir today to meet the victims and distribute the relief goods among them. Chaudhary Sarwar said Indian army commits atrocities on innocent Kashmiris and urged the international community to take notice of it.  

Pakistan Army has rescued two British mountaineers who had slipped from Koee Broghail Glacier in Chitral at the height of fourteen thousand feet. According to Deputy Commissioner Chitral, the rescued British citizens John James and William Tayler have been shifted to Mastuj through Army Helicopter.

At least one policeman was martyred and three others injured in an exchange of fire with suspected terrorists in Balochistan’s Loralai district on Monday evening, an official said. One suspected militant blew himself up and another one was killed by police during the exchange of fire. Station House Officer Loralai Abdul Rehman said personnel of the police's Eagle Squad stopped two suspects riding a motorcycle near the Lolarai commissioner's office. However, one of the militants blew himself up and the second was shot dead in retaliatory firing by police. Three policemen were injured during the exchange of fire, SHO Rehman said. They were rushed to District Hospital Loralai for emergency treatment.  

President Tayyip Erdogan insisted on Monday that Turkey will keep pushing for the truth behind the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year, saying some of his killers appeared to be evading justice. A year after Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents sent from Riyadh, Erdogan said Turkey still wanted to know where his body was and who had authorised the operation — suggesting it was carried by agents of a "shadow state" in Saudi Arabia. In a Washington Post op-ed, published on Monday, Erdogan described the journalist's killing by a Saudi hit squad as "arguably the most influential and controversial incident of the 21st Century". His comments come ahead of the first anniversary of Khashoggi's October 2 slaying at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan said Turkey would keep asking: "Where are Khashoggi's remains? Who signed the Saudi journalist's death warrant? Who dispatched the 15 killers aboard t

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf senior leader Asad Umar will likely return as a federal minister amid major reshuffle in the federal Cabinet, sources informed on Monday. According to sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken the decision regarding a major reshuffle in the cabinet, with former finance minister Umar taking charge of the petroleum ministry this time. Sources said that Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry will have to relinquish hold of his portfolio once again. Around eight to 10 ministers are expected to be a part of reshuffle, with Shafqat Mahmood likely to be given the charge of the Interior Ministry. Sources further said that Zubaida Jalal will likely become the education minister, with Firdous Ashiq Awan also among those who will be a part of the reshuffle. Dr Babar Awan is also expected to become an adviser, sources said, adding that the former law minister is more interested towards being a senator. In the meeting of PTI parliamentary leaders today, s

Munir Akram would replace Dr Maleeha Lodhi as Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, the foreign ministry said Monday in a statement. Akram, who has previously served at the same post from 2002 to 2008, would be stationed at the UN's New York headquarters. He specialises in multilateral diplomacy with considerable experience over the years at the UN's New York and Geneva chapters. Akram studied at Karachi University and graduated with a Masters degree in Political Science and a Bachelors in Law. He has ably defended and protected Pakistan’s vital interests and continues to play a leading role on other important issues on the UN’s regular and reform agenda. The development comes merely a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan returned from the United States, where he addressed the UN General Assembly's (UNGA) 74th session — termed successful and historic — and fought Kashmir’s case. The Foreign Office gave no reason for Lodhi's removal. Lodhi

Saudi Arabia is exploring the possibility of investing at least $100 billion in India in areas of petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining, among others, suggests a report in Indian media. Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to India Dr Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati last week said that India was an attractive investment destination for the kingdom and it is eyeing long-term partnerships with New Delhi. "Saudi Arabia is looking at making investments in India potentially worth $100 billion in the areas of energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and mining," Sati told Indian…

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday announced that Pakistan has decided to extend an invitation to former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh for the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor, which is scheduled to be opened in November. "Kartarpur corridor is an important project, the prime minister has a personal interest in it," said Qureshi in a video message. "After consultations, Pakistan has decided to invite Manmohan Singh to the inauguration, who we hold in high regard. He will represent the Sikh community." "On behalf of the government, as the foreign minister of Pakistan, I invite him to attend the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor," said Qureshi, adding that the government also intends to send Singh a formal written invitation. The foreign minister also invited Sikh yatris in his message, saying: "We also await the Sikh yatris [...] to come and take part in the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak." Earlier

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz on Monday filed a plea in the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking her bail in money laundering case. Maryam in her bail plea has pleased the court to approve her bail in Chaudhry Sugar Mills reference, which was used for money laundering, according to the NAB. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested me by violating the law as my all properties and assets are declared, she has stated in her bail plea and claimed that she is being politically victimized. The PML-N stalwart is currently in the jail on judicial remand in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills reference along with her cousin Yousaf Abbas.

President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged the world community to realize, respond and rebuke those who are responsible for state terrorism in Occupied Kashmir. In a tweet, he appreciated the principled stance of Canadian government refusing the visa to two ex-Indian lieutenant generals, three brigadiers and two senior officials of intelligence for their part in Kashmir violence. The world must realize, respond and rebuke those who are responsible for state terrorism in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The free world appreciates the principled stance by the Govt of Canada & @JustinTrudeau . Well done. https://t.co/QKPJXGpjua — Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 29, 2019

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has termed the brotherly Pakistan-Turkey relations as exemplary saying that great potential exists for collaboration in the defence production field. He expressed these views at jointly cutting the first metal plate of the first of the four MILGEM Ada class corvette along with Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi at a graceful ceremony in Istanbul. Referring to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Erdogan said the world needs to know about the sufferings of the Kashmiri people who are continuously braving curfew and blockade since 5th August. Equating Kashmir with Palestine, President Erdogan said over eight million Kashmiris are living in an open-air prison in their own lands facing brutalities of the occupation forces with great courage. President Erdogan vowed to continue rising Kashmir issue and highlight the miseries of the people of Kashmir. Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in his opening speech termed this project as another testimony of the Pakistan-

Prime Minister Imran Khan shared a picture of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on the sidelines of recent UN General Assembly session in New York in which they decided to set up a BBC type English language TV Channel. The Prime Minister in his tweet said, apart from highlighting Muslim issues, the channel will also fight Islamophobia. Our meeting in which we decided to set up a BBC type English language TV Channel that, apart from highlighting Muslim issues, will also fight Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/GA6o15oJFH — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 30, 2019 Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia have decided to jointly launch an English language Islamic television channel to correct misperceptions and confront the challenges posed by Islamophobia, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit the southern Mirpur district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday (today) to express solidarity with the victims of the earthquake that hit the lakeside city and its adjoining areas on Tuesday. The prime minister would be given a briefing on losses as well as rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the AJK officials at the helipad following which he would drive to the divisional headquarters hospital to inquire after the health of some of the survivors being treated there. Commissioner Mirpur told media that 40 lost their lives while 680 others were injured in the quake. He said 172 people are critically injured. 1654 buildings received damages while overall 70000 buildings were affected. He said 140 schools, 200 vehicles and 500 animals suffred due to earthquake. He said temporary bridges would be made to connect people. He said the underground water is not drinkable after the earthquake, adding that a survey to analyze the lo

Pakistan’s young cricketer Shadab Khan said Sunday he has set his eyes on becoming a regular all-rounder in the national cricket team. Speaking to media here in the country's southern port city, Shadab said he was working hard on his batting to be able to serve the team in all capacities. The spinner — who fast-tracked himself to the Pakistan team after a remarkable performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 — noted: "I have been working hard on my batting as I am to be an all-rounder for the team. "I am looking forward to do that in next two matches here. I am ready to bat any position, at any number where my team wants me to bat in order." The cricketer acknowledged his inability to perform to his fans' expectations recently in white-ball cricket but promised that he would do better in the series against Sri Lanka. “I know that I haven’t done too good recently. But my role is an attacking spinner and cricket has changed recently, so I would be h

Pakistan's undisputed queen Mahira Khan set fire to the ramp at Paris Fashion Week on Saturday for acclaimed designer Karl Lagerfeld. Dressed in a leather jacket, skinny black jeans and a white shirt with coiffed hair, Mahira was every inch the superstar on the ramp. She was joined by US singer Camila Cabello, Indian actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, British actress Helen Mirren, US actresses Eva Longoria and Amber Heard and many others! It was definitely the moment we had been waiting for. Not only did she walk the ramp, but Mahira also danced with Helen Mirren on the runway during the "Le Defile L'Oreal Paris" show as part of Paris Fashion Week. The Raees starlet was also seen rubbing shoulders with Hollywood bigwigs including Camila Cabello and Eva Longoria.

President Donald Trump, the target of an impeachment inquiry over alleged abuse of power, warned supporters on Saturday that "our country is at stake like never before". The video message posted on Twitter came in response to Democratic lawmakers' investigation of accusations that Trump tried to strong-arm the Ukrainian president into providing dirt on Joe Biden, one of the American President's main 2020 election rivals. American rights are being threatened by Democrats, Trump said, stating that they "want to take away your guns, they want to take away your health care, they want to take away your vote, they want to take away your freedom". "We can never let this happen," he said. "Because our country is at stake like never before. It's all very simple. They're trying to stop me because I'm fighting for you — and I'll never let that happen."  In subsequent tweets, Trump repeated his charges that the impeachment inves

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday accused "selected media and commentators" of "hyping up" Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech at the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) 74th annual session, saying that the premier did not make a strong case for the plight of occupied Kashmir's residents. "Our selected prime minister is being appreciated on our selected media, but those who know about the plight of Kashmiris as well as the history of their struggle, understand that Pakistan's government can play a vital role for our Kashmiri brethren," Bilawal said. The PPP chief criticised Prime Minister Imran's address at the UNGA, saying that it was a "pre-scheduled speech that we knew he will deliver before [India's August 5 move] took place". Bilawal said that the premier should have focused solely on the Kashmir crisis instead of bringing up other issues. Bilawal also regretted that the prime minister did not emp

A personal bodyguard of Saudi Arabia's King Salman has been shot dead and seven others wounded, including security forces, during an altercation at a friend's home, authorities said Sunday. General Abdelaziz al-Fagham, who was frequently seen by the king's side, died Saturday evening in the western city of Jeddah, police said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). "Fagham was visiting his friend at his home in Jeddah when (an) acquaintance, Mamdouh al-Ali, entered the residence," it said. "The conversation between Fagham and Ali escalated... Ali left the home, came back carrying a gun and fired at Fagham, injuring two others in the household, a Filipino worker and brother of the house's owner." Al-Ekhbariya state television reported that the incident was triggered by a "personal dispute", without giving further details. Ali himself was later killed and five security personnel wounded in a shootout when the s

The death toll from a strong earthquake in Indonesia’s eastern province of Maluku has risen to 30 people, the national disaster mitigation agency (BNBP) said on Sunday and hundreds of thousands of people remain in evacuation shelters. The 6.5 magnitude quake hit early on Thursday, damaging hundreds of houses and dozens of public facilities and infrastructure, including the main bridge in the city of Ambon. Officials on Thursday had put the death toll at 20 people. Many were killed by falling rubble. More than 150 people were injured, BNBP spokesman Agus Wibowo said in a statement on Sunday, and over 200,000 remain in shelters. Those whose houses were destroyed have set up tents as shelters in near hospitals or schoolyards. People living near the ocean have evacuated to higher ground following the quake, fearing a tsunami, despite authorities have ruled out the possibility of a giant wave. Indonesia, which sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, is often hit by dead

The Pakistan military has been ranked as the 15th most powerful military by Global Firepower’s 2019 Military Strength Ranking. According to the rankings, the three most powerful militaries in the world are United States, Russia and China followed by India, France, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom. Global Firepower ranks the militaries of 137 countries by giving weightage to a complex number of factors and not just sheer numbers of soldiers or weapons. It looks at a large number of different criteria, including the diversity of each country’s weapons, manpower, population, geography and its state of development. While it gives bonus points to countries with nuclear weapons, it does not factor in their nuclear stockpiles in the final score. While landlocked countries are not penalised for not having navies, countries that do have navies but their fleets lack diversity are penalised. The Global Firepower ranking utilises over 55 factors to determine a country’s PowerIndex score.

Prime Minister Imran Khan says Pakistan has successfully conveyed its message to the world urging them to take notice of eight million Kashmiri people living under siege by Indian forces. He was talking to media in New York prior to his departure for home on completion of his week-long visit to the United States. The Prime Minister, who led his delegation to the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, told the nation that the struggle would continue. He asked the people not to be desperate or worried as every struggle is marked by ups and downs. Imran Khan said he conveyed the message about the oppression of Kashmiri people and all the world powers including the UN, the US and Russia knew it well. The Prime Minister, who had departed for home on Friday night had to return to New York after the plane carrying him developed a technical fault on its way to Pakistan. As the technical teams could not address the fault, he had to stay back at the hotel for one more night.

Pakistan has submitted a rejoinder to United Nations General Assembly in response to Indian reply to Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech to the forum. A diplomat of Pakistani mission to the UN General Assembly Zulqarnain Chheena, submitting rejoinder, said Prime Minister Imran Khan has exposed the real cruel face of Indian state terrorism before the world community. The diplomat said India is committing state terrorism in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the last thirty years. He said Indian governmnet is carrying forward RSS agenda. He said killers of Mahatma Ghandi are now ruining the secular face of India in Occupied Kashmir. Zulqarnain Chheena further said we arrested Indian spy Kulbushan Yadev which admitted involvment in various incidents of terrorism inside Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his speech to UNGA, highlighted Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and on minorities inside India.

Prime Minister Imran Khan departed for Riyadh by a commercial flight on his way back to Pakistan on Saturday afternoon after his special plane had to turn back to New York with a technical fault last evening. The prime minister, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, was seen off at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi. On Friday evening, technicians tried but could not fix the problem in the special plane, which was placed at his disposal by the Saudi government, after it landed back in New York. Officials said it was then decided to return to Roosevelt Hotel where the prime minister had been staying during his seven-day visit to New York, and to take a regular Saudi Airlines flight Saturday morning for his return journey, as he was anxious to visit the earthquake-hit areas and families of the victims. During his ‘Mission Kashmir’ visit to New York

Prime Minister Imran Khan departed for Riyadh by a commercial flight on his way back to Pakistan on Saturday afternoon after his special plane had to turn back to New York with a technical fault last evening. The prime minister, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, was seen off at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi. On Friday evening, technicians tried but could not fix the problem in the special plane, which was placed at his disposal by the Saudi government, after it landed back in New York. Officials said it was then decided to return to Roosevelt Hotel where the prime minister had been staying during his seven-day visit to New York, and to take a regular Saudi Airlines flight Saturday morning for his return journey, as he was anxious to visit the earthquake-hit areas and families of the victims. During his ‘Mission Kashmir’ visit to New York

The United States has rejected a request by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht-Ravanchi, who is being treated for cancer in a hospital in New York. The US State Department made the announcement on Friday, adding Zarif could only visit his ill colleague if Tehran released one of the several American citizens detained in Iran. Due to US sanctions and travel restrictions placed on Zarif in July, the foreign minister can only travel between the John F. Kennedy airport and a limited area surrounding the UN building in New York where he is to take part in the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Washington has detained a number of Iranian citizens on grounds of violating US sanctions against Tehran. Masoud Soleimani, a top stem cell scientist held behind bars in the United States without trial for nearly a year, is among the detained Iranian individuals. He, too, is suffering from a worsening he

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has hit out at New Delhi for invading and occupying Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) despite United Nations resolutions deeming it as a disputed territory. The Malaysian premier was addressing the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he called for settling the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan through “peaceful means”. In his address to the 193-member Assembly on Friday evening, he said there may be reasons for New Delhi’s Kashmir move; however, it is still wrong. “The problem must be solved through peaceful means,” Mahathir said, adding, “Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the rule of law.” On the lingering question of Palestine, Mahathir said the first action of the UN was the creation of the state of Israel, seizing Arab land and expelling 90 per cent of the Arab population. The result was terrorism when there was none before, or not on the present scale, he said. Mahathir acknow

At least six Kashmiri youths were martyred in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as the Indian occupying forces tightened restrictions, fearing protests after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s impassioned speech at UN General Assembly last night. Three youths were martyred in Ganderbal, about 12 miles north of Srinagar, and another three in Batote, located on the highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar during cordon and search operations. Prime Minister Imran had warned of a bloodbath once India lifts its restrictions in IOK, which have been in force since it revoked the region’s decades-old autonomy in August and detained thousands of people. He also warned the Kashmir dispute could escalate into an all-out nuclear war that would have consequences for the whole world. Soon after the speech, hundreds of Kashmiris came out of their homes, shouting slogans in support of Pakistan’s prime minister late on Friday night and calling for the independence of the occupied. Despite heavy presen

Tight security ensured Afghanistan’s presidential election was held on Saturday in relative calm, though several small attacks, low turnout and complaints about the voting system heightened fears an unclear result could drive the country into further chaos. Some 9.6 million Afghans are registered to vote, but many have lost any hope that after 18 years of war any leader can unify the fractious country. Photo: AFP Preliminary results are not expected before Oct. 17 and final results not until Nov. 7. If no candidate gets 51% of the vote, a second round will be held between the two leading candidates. Taliban fighters attacked several polling stations across the country to try to derail the process, but intense security prevented the large-scale violence of previous polls. “This election was the healthiest and fairest election in comparison to the previous elections,” said Hawa Alam Nuristani, head of country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC), after the voting concluded. Te

At least six people were killed and four others injured when gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Satuday. According to police, the incident, which took place in Zargari area, was result of an old enmity. Local authorities said the bodies and injured have been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital. The police said raids were being conducted to arrest the attackers. Identities of the dead and the injured were not immediatly known.