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Aaj Kay Akhbar 27 March 2019
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The Foreign Office (FO) regretted the Indian decision and termed the last minute postponement “incomprehensible”.
After the first round of talks on March 14, the two sides were to finalise modalities for operationalising of the corridor to provide Indian Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to the shrine of Guru Nanak – the founder of Sikhism.
“Pakistan regrets the Indian decision to postpone the upcoming Kartarpur meeting, jointly agreed by both sides on 14 March 2019,” said FO Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal. “The meeting was to discuss and find consensus on outstanding issues.”
The FO also lamented India’s move without seeking Pakistan’s view especially keeping in view that the last technical meeting was productive.
It may be mentioned here that the move came a day after the FO said its preliminary probe into the Pulwama attack failed to establish any link between Pakistan and the February 14 suicide bombing.
The FO spokesperson’s statement was issued following Indian Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi sought “clarifications from Pakistan on key proposals put forward by India at the last meeting held in Attari to discuss the modalities of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor”.
“India has also shared concerns and sought clarifications on reports that controversial elements have been appointed by Pakistan to a committee to be associated with the Kartarpur Corridor.”
New Delhi said the meeting will be scheduled after Pakistan responds to its concerns. “Meanwhile, in order to take forward the infrastructure development for the Corridor in an expeditious manner, India has proposed to hold another meeting of techncial experts in mid-April to resolve outstanding issues at the zero point agreed to at the last meeting.”
"It is important that current structures like FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and the 1267 Sanctions regimes are not used as political tools by some to advance their geopolitical goals," Ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi told the UN Security Council on Thursday.
“There is also a need to make these institutions more inclusive of the wider membership in their decision-making processes,” she added.
The Pakistani envoy was speaking in a debate on "Preventing and Combating the Financing of Terrorism," a day after the United States bypassed the Security Council's 1267 Sanctions Committee and circulated to the Council's 15 members a draft resolution seeking to put the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief, Masood Azhar, on the UN sanctions blacklist.
In her remarks, Ambassador Lodhi underscored the need for a holistic approach to combat and defeat terrorism and the need for international collaboration to achieve the shared objective.
She pointed out several gaps that existed in the international community’s counter-terrorism strategy, one being the lack of attention given to issues of foreign intervention, foreign occupation, the continued denial of the right to self-determination to people living under foreign occupation and violations of international law and the UN Charter.
The envoy asserted that despite being obvious causative factors, these are ignored or cast aside.
She said that the international community agrees that continued and persistent violations of human rights contribute to violent extremism.
"Yet killings continue in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine," Dr Lodhi said, adding, "Brutalization and oppression of people struggling for their legitimate right to self-determination constitutes state terrorism. This too should be the focus of international attention."
She also warned against Islamophobia fanned by extremist groups in some western countries.
"Action must be taken against this deliberate hate mongering which often leads to violence."
She said Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism sponsored by external stakeholders but this only reinforced its will to fight against the menace.
Pakistan has adopted a multifaceted national counter-terrorism strategy, a 20-point plan, including prevention and countering of terrorist financing, she said.
As a result of various measures, terrorist incidents are at a record low in the country, the ambassador stressed.
Pakistan is largely a cash-based economy, which has made it difficult to implement FATF recommendations in the past, she added.
At a ceremony held here in the Netherlands, the International Institute for Justice (IIJE) bestowed on Justice Jillani the award "for his outstanding contribution to the global elevation of the principles of justice in Pakistan and the international community".
Having served at the Supreme Court (SC), it was Justice Jillani who took the suo moto notice of the 2013 Peshawar church bombings that had left 83 people dead and more than 140 injured.
"Judge Jillani is currently sitting Ad Hoc on the International Court of Justice in The Hague, is the former Chief Justice of Pakistan and Justice of the High Court of Lahore, among many other notable achievements," reads a statement issued by the IIJE.
As per reports, the Pakistani prisoner, identified as Noorul Ameen, hailed from Karachi and had lost his life while serving his prison term through brutal torture by the Indian prison’s staff.
It was revealed further that Ameen, a fisherman from the country’s industrial hub had mistakenly crossed into Indian waters back in 2017 after which he was taken into custody.
Earlier this month in a related incident, another Pakistani prisoner named Muhammad Azam had died at the age of 62 in an Indian hospital even though he had completed his jail term three years ago.
Last month in February, Shakirullah from Pakistan who was trapped in Indian jail was also brutally stoned to death by other inmates amidst the Indo-Pak tensions at the Jaipur Central Jail.
Attackers ambushed Dostum’s convoy on the way from Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in Balkh province, to Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan, said Bashir Ahmad Tayenj, spokesman for Dostum’s Junbish Party. Two other bodyguards were wounded.
Dostum was aware of a planned attack but decided to travel anyway, the spokesman added.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt, which comes eight months after Dostum avoided injury in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport. In a tweet, the militant group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said four guards were killed and six wounded in the attack.
Last summer’s bombing, which was claimed by Islamic State, took place as Dostum returned home from more than a year in exile in Turkey over allegations of torturing and abusing a political rival.
Dostum had left Afghanistan after heavy pressure from Western donors including the United States.
Less than a year since his return, the general remains a significant, if polarizing, political figure. His Junbish Party is supported mainly by his fellow ethnic Uzbeks.
Dostum has joined the election team of Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, one of several contenders in a presidential election scheduled for Sept. 28.
Goals by Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial -- Abdoulaye Doucoure getting a late goal for the visitors -- took them above Arsenal and level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who play at Liverpool on Sunday, boosting Solskjaer hopes of achieving his first goal of securing Champions League football for next season.
It was not vintage United as Watford had more shots on target and more corners than their hosts, but it was much needed after successive defeats against Arsenal in the Premier League and Wolves in the FA Cup.
But it was a good reminder, if one was needed for the new permanent manager, that there is plenty of hard work ahead if Solskjaer wants to make United contenders for the title again.
His record over the 19 games in interim charge, and how he has lifted the mood around the club, had made his appointment as Jose Mourinho´s successor a foregone conclusion.
The Stretford End was in no doubt about their former hero getting the job as a giant banner was unfurled as he emerged from the tunnel before he could take his position in the dugout.
Watford start brightly
But it was the visitors who started the brighter as Doucoure dragged a shot wide from a promising position while David de Gea had to claw away a header from Troy Deeney.
Watford have an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon against Wolves next Sunday and a place at Wembley must have given the players a spring in their step as De Gea had to deal with further efforts from Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu.
But it was their desire to go forward which proved their undoing as they were caught out by one of the counter-attacks that Manchester United have specialised in down the years.
Deeney failed to get his pass beyond Luke Shaw and the left-back sped forward, before looking up and playing a perfect ball into the space behind the defence for Rashford to sprint onto and coolly finish past the onrushing Ben Foster.
It was the ninth goal during Solskjaer´s reign for Rashford, who has blossomed in the last three months, and has replaced Romelu Lukaku as United´s main man up front.
Foster, once of United, has been Watford´s best player this season, and he underlined why with a brilliant instinctive save to deny Martial from close range as United threatened to take control.
Rashford was at the heart of their attacking play as he rounded Foster but from a tight angle could not find a team-mate.
Watford continued to push forward after the break in search of an equaliser and Pereyra´s goalbound effort was pushed behind by De Gea, while Will Hughes curled another shot beyond the far post.
It was no surprise to see Solskjaer respond with a double change as Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard were sent on and it worked a treat as the pair combined to tee up Martial, who scored from close range at the second attempt.
Watford kept pressing and Doucoure scored in the 90th minute as he showed fabulous footwork inside the area to make things nervous, but it was a little, too late to ruin Solskjaer´s day.
After a thrashing in the first three matches, Pakistan showed some improvement in the fourth ODI on Friday but became the first team in ODI history to lose while chasing a target below 280 despite two centuries.
Needing 278 to win, Pakistan were brought close to their target by debutant Abid Ali's 112 and Mohammad Rizwan's 104, but in the end the twin hundreds were in vain as they failed to score a required 17 off Marcus Stoinis' last over.
Glenn Maxwell missed a second career hundred by just two runs, Usman Khawaja scored 62 and Alex Carey 55 as Australia posted 277-7 in their 50 overs.
Abid Ali, only drafted into the side two hours before the start after Imam-ul-Haq went down with fever, became the 15th batsman to score a hundred on ODI debut. Salim Elahi (102 not out v Sri Lanka at Gujranwala in 1995) and Imam (100 v Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi 2017) were the other two Pakistani batsmen to score debut ODI tons.
Today's match will start at 4pm Pakistan Standard Time.
Senior MQM-P leader Faisal Sabzwari confirmed to the media that Hasan and his bodyguards sustained injuries in the accident.
“Hasan sustained head injuries while his bodyguard was critically injured,” Sabzwari said, adding that they have been shifted to a private hospital at Stadium Road for medical attention.
The condition of the MQM-P leader was said to be out of danger.
Hasan was returning from Ghotki after meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had been in town to address a rally, when his car met with a mishap.
“Three of Hasan’s guards were injured in the accident, with two of them in critical condition,” MQM-P leader Amir Khan said.
He added, “Hasan’s bodyguard was travelling in the car behind him and was also hit. More damage occurred with the second car being hit.”
Moreover, MPA Sanjay Perwani who was travelling with Hasan at the time of the accident said, he was travelling in the last car.
He shared, that there was a ditch dug up on the road due to some construction work nearby. “There were no signs indicating that a ditch was there. Due to the construction work, the driver could not see the ditch and the car crashed,” Perwani said. “There was an alternative route near the site of the accident but there was no sign telling us that.”
In 2017, Hasan escaped an assassination attempt in which two people, including a policeman, were killed.
Hasan, the leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly at that time, was going home after offering Eid-ul-Azhar prayers when two suspected attackers ambushed his vehicle in Bufferzone area of the metropolis.
Hasan remained unharmed in the incident, however, an attacker was killed during the retaliatory fire by one of the guards.
He was chairing a high level meeting in Lahore today (Saturday).
The meeting discussed various plans to set up modern solar power plants in Punjab. A Canadian company has expressed its interest in the proposed plans.
The Chief Minister said electricity will be provided through modern solar power plants in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Cholistan and Thal where there is no transmission line.
The non-stop luxurious train will ply between Lahore and Karachi, covering the distance in fifteen hours.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister said development of railways will lower pressure on roads and promote tourism besides providing affordable, comfortable and speedy traveling facility to the common people.
Imran Khan said he is going to China next month and will seek Chinese cooperation in upgradation of Main Line-I from Karachi to Peshawar and railway technology.
Imran Khan regretted that operationalization of the railway track in Pakistan has decreased by 2000 kilometers since the British era in the sub-continent.
Referring to the basic facility of health, the Prime Minister said the government has started Insaf Health Card scheme from the poor of the poor, which will be extended to other people.
He said every salaried person should have health insurance card to have free medical facility.
Earlier, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in his address said they had repaired two hundred coaches and ran twenty-four new passenger trains.
The Minister said Lahore Railways Station has been renovated at a cost of 25 million rupees.
He announced to launch Sir Syed train in a month.
Sheikh Rashid said a train will ply on upgraded ML-I at a speed of 160-220 kilometers per hour, reducing the Lahore-Rawalpindi travel distance to about two and a half hours.
Russia's hunger for gold continues to grow, with freshly released Central Bank data showing reserves climbing by 31.1 tonnes, or 1.5 per cent of total reserves, in the month of February alone.
Taking account of another 6.22 tonnes of the precious metal purchased in January, reserves now stand at some 2,149.25 metric tonnes, according to the Central Bank.
According to Bloomberg, Russia's gold rush'n approach to the precious metal is an indication that the country continues to make "rapid progress in its effort to diversify away from American assets."
According to the business resource, the impact of more countries taking a similar approach to the dollar could be problematic, with the US' European partners, including France, Poland and Hungary, already engaged in similar gold buys or referring to their dependence on the dollar "an issue of sovereignty."
For Russia, Bloomberg suggested, the gold stockpile means safety "against geopolitical shocks and the threat of tougher US sanctions as relations between the two powers continue to deteriorate.
" However, with Russian gold mines' output topping out at about 300 tonnes per year, and the Central Bank buying up nearly 275 tonnes of that in 2018, Russia is on-course to making substantial purchases abroad, according to observers.
"Should it reach the limit for domestic purchases, I think the Central Bank will start to import gold," Oleg Kouzmin, chief economist at the Moscow-based brokerage firm Renaissance Capital, said.
According to the economist, continued tensions with Washington mean that Russia's bullion reserves will keep growing as a percentage of total reserves.
Gold already accounts for close to 20 percent of Russia's total foreign-exchange reserves, with the dollar dropping from a whopping 46 percent of reserves in mid-2017 to 22 percent now.
The remaining dollar cushion is accounted for by Russia's continued dependence on the greenback for international trade.
Russia's Buy-Up Has Global Impact on Prices
Ronald-Peter Stoeferle, a managing partner at Liechtenstein-based investment firm Incrementum AG, said that Russia's gold bonanza has helped prop up global gold prices substantially in recent years, with prices jumping by over 20 percent since 2016 and going for roughly $1,300 per ounce in Friday trading.
In 2018, Russia accounted for a whopping 40 percent of total gold purchased by central banks, with its purchases accounting for some 6 percent of total global buying.
And that strategy has already brought dividends, according to experts. Last month, economists estimated that the Russian Central Bank has already earned somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10 billion dollars thanks to rising prices for its gold holdings.
Economist added, however, that the rising dollar value of the gold was just a bonus, since the Central Bank's main purpose was to diversify reserves and insure them against the threat of Western sanctions.
Protesters at the site said he had been taking part in an overnight rally ahead of the main demonstration scheduled for this afternoon.
Bilawal's remarks followed shortly after the prime minister, during a rally in Ghotki, had vowed that the government would not let PML-N and PPP leaders off the accountability hook "until they give back the country's [looted] wealth". The premier had also discussed corruption in Sindh, where the PPP has a majority government.
While speaking to media, the PPP chairman remarked that he had read the news that NAB has evidence against a sitting minister and his brother, but expressed the view that the minister would not be arrested because the corruption watchdog only practices "selective accountability".
"We all know that NAB [National Accountability Ordinance] is a black law, designed for political engineering," said Bilawal.
The PPP chairman claimed that if anyone was serious about challenging corruption and instating the law of justice and accountability which he said was equally applicable to every citizen it was him.
He promised he would one day establish such laws in the country, accusing the prime minister of only seeking to "show off his politics".
"Khan sahab's politics start and end at NAB," he said.
He alleged that the accountability bureau had played an "important role" in the appointment of the incumbent government which he labelled a "selected government" and further alleged that the bureau continued to have a hand in running it.
Bilawal said that the premier beats the drums of provinces having increased responsibility and questioned why then they are not given their due share of resources. He accused the government of "stealing" the resources that belong to the people and spending them in Islamabad.
"This is a 'red line' for PPP and we cannot tolerate it at all," he said, adding that the PPP would oppose this "conspiracy" at every forum.
In response to a question, Bilawal said that he had undertaken his recent train journey, a reference to the PPP's "Caravan-i-Bhutto", for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's death anniversary.
"I know that Khan sahab doesn't go to his constituencies," he remarked, adding: "A selected politician does not give importance to his voters."
Addressing to a ceremony in Ghotki FM Shah Mehmood said, “The party which was a sign of center in now seems nowhere even in its own province.”
“PPP has now reduced to interior Sindh only,” criticized Shah Mehmood.
“Those who believe that it’s our last gathering in Ghotki should mark my words that PTI is now an identity of center and the people of Sindh know that who is behind the destruction of the Sindh,” he added.
“When I joined PTI, I started my politics from Ghotki,” he further added.
“Various opponents believed that my politics is finished, but I was affirmed to bring the change under Imran’s vision,” he asserted.
“Due to our commitment people like Safdar Abbasi and Zulfiqar Mirza are now part of our journey,” he added.
“Tabdeeli entered in Punjab after crushing JUI-F and ANP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and the people have seen the collapse of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in their stronghold,” he said.
“The people of other provinces have put their trust in us then why don’t people of Sindh will trust us,” he concluded.
Under the 'Road to Makkah' project that has been initiated by Saudi Arabia to facilitate Muslim pilgrims all immigration requirements are fulfilled at the airport of origin. The project also includes other Muslim countries, like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Under the project, 90 per cent of Pakistani pilgrims will go through customs and immigration processes at the airports in Pakistan before leaving for Haj, instead of having to wait for 10-12 hours after arriving in Saudi Arabia, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said.
The Saudi delegation will be briefed at the Islamabad International Airport by officials from Customs, Civil Aviation Authority, the Anti-Narcotics Force and the interior and foreign ministries. The delegation will also review the arrangements made at the airports in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad, where the immigration counters are expected to be set up.
The auto was carrying ninth-grade students who were en route to their village after appearing in an examination.
The collision was so intense that five of the students and the auto driver died on the spot.
Another student succumbed to her injuries when she was being shifted to a nearby hospital.
The ill-fated auto was completely destroyed as a result of the accident and it had to be cut to pull the bodies out of the wreckage.
A number of local people also helped in the rescue operation while some, protested after the incident.
The angry mob tried to set the bus on fire but the police officials reached the spot on time and stopped their attempt.
The protesters also blocked Jhang Road and chanted slogans against the incident and the transport mafia.
Speaking at a seminar organized by International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, he acknowledged that ISPR outclassed the Indian army in information war.
He said I give full marks to Pakistan for the manner in which it has played out the information strategy. The ISPR did an outstanding work for Pakistan.
The Ex-Indian General, who also served as the General Officer Commanding of Indian Army's 15 Corps in Occupied Kashmir, said that ISPR brilliantly performed its work for Pakistan by ensuring detailed alienation of Kashmiris against Indian armed forces.
He accused Bharatiya Janata Party's-led government for carrying out attack in Pulwama in occupied Kashmir, saying that he was aware of the fact that the Pulwama-like incident is inevitable due to the Indian government’s lack of understanding of the conflict.
About Kashmir dispute, the former Indian Army's General said use of force could not solve the Kashmir dispute, and India would eventually come to give up the muscular power in Occupied Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by officials of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Bureau International Cooperation Department and Pakistan’s Climate Change Department.
Officials from either side discussed prospects for cooperation in wetland restoration, desertification control, wildlife protection and other pertinent fields and issues.
The meeting was part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, signed in November last year, which called for identifying priority areas for cooperation in forestry.
Pakistan and China continue to enjoy strengthened bilateral relations from economic platform to cultural bond. A day earlier, Chinese cities Urumqi, Puyang and Xi’an were named as sister cities to Karachi, Gwadar, and Multan, respectively, at a forum held in Beijing to fortify the ties of all-weather ally countries.
It was informed at the event that the forum would facilitate cooperation in province-city management, public health, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, trade and investment, tourism cooperation, urbanisation and vocational/professional education. It will enhance mutual understanding between enterprises of the two countries and boost economic and trade ties.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had sought 15 days’ physical remand of Durrani for further questioning in the case.
Siraj Durrani told the court that the NAB officers repeatedly asking him same questions, which he had already replied. “They are not questioning me about any new matter,” he said.
The People’s Party workers present outside the court premises welcomed the party leader when NAB officials brought Durrani in an armored vehicle to produce before the court.
The NAB prosecutor said in the court that the evidence about purchase of vehicles and property has been found. He claimed that the investigation has found evidence of money laundering against Agha Siraj Durrani.
He said no more questioning will be required from Agha Siraj after the accused on bail will record their statements. The NAB will inform the high court if the accused on bail will not join the investigation, the counsel further said.
He said the people who didn’t have a motorbike holding millions of rupees bank accounts. The investigation trying to collect substantial evidence against them, he added.
Talking to media Durrani said that he will go to any forum for justice adding that he hopes justice from the accountability court.
Sindh Assembly Speaker said he is imprisoned and not being allowed to meet anyone.
Replying a question he said any alliance between the MQM and the PTI would have no impact on the PPP government, which is ruling the province and it it would remain in power, Durrani stressed.
He said these things are part of the politics, ” we are working to continue our government in Sindh”. He said “I will do what the law says,” adding that “nothing comes to surface (against him) in the NAB investigations till now”.
Addressing a rally at the palace of Grand Democratic Alliance's (GDA) Ali Gohar Khan Mahar in Khangarh, the premier said, "Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad visited Pakistan on my invitation. The Malaysian premier strengthened institutions and brought happiness in the lives of his people."
"Nations aren't poor but corruption makes them poor and indebted," he continued. "Pakistan was progressing in Asia and today each and every child in the country owes debt. We also need to take loans to pay back loans," the premier lamented.
Stating that in the past the nation was plunged in debt, PM Imran said, "Sindh should have been Pakistan's happiest province. Karachi is Pakistan's economic hub and the most gas is found in Sindh."
"Land in Sindh is fertile but people in interior Sindh are the most poor and the only reason for that is corruption," he stated.
Taking a hit at the PPP, PM Imran said, "A train march was launched to hide corruption worth millions of rupees. Money from corruption goes into fake bank accounts that is then laundered out of the country."
Upholding that "today a drama is being staged that democracy is in danger", the premier said, "I challenge you [Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif] today, do whatever you want, join hands if you want, we still won't leave you. We will only leave you if you return the nation's money."
There were evident problems and improvements I wanted to see. By the time the film was readied for re-release by its producers on March 29 2019, I was in a limbo, stuck between hopeful and skeptical. There was ample time to improve but how much could be improved?
The 'Project Ghazi' that the film's title refers to is an experiment by specialist Dr Ziad (Talat Hussain) whereby soldiers are enhanced so that their abilities are at maximum capacity - a nod to Captain America and the like. 15 years from the project, Salaar (Humayun Saeed) is the only surviving soldier around, due to a sacrifice made by his partner Taimur.
Taimur's son, Zain (Sheheryar Munawar) has inherited these super genetics from his father, although he is unaware of the origins of his abilities. When scientists and others involved in 'Project Ghazi' are targeted and super villain Kataan (Adnan Jafar) plans to drown the city in chaos, Zain must team up with Salaar to put a stop to it all.
Considering I had no idea what had happened in the original film, I was pretty happy to be able to locate a cohesive plot in the upgraded Project Ghazi.
I have to say this. Watching Project Ghazi after having seen the original, the improvements made weren't subtle at all. The audio was clearer, the timeline more logical and the CGI rendered to an acceptable state.
The scenes spent in confusing silence in the 2017 version had dialogues! I couldn't help but exclaim "Oh so that's what this was" on numerous occasions.
The crew behind the film utilised the year and a half they had since the original premiere quite well and not only does it show, but it made me happy. This is the power of proper post-production.
As the film progressed I realised that my viewing experience was affected by my comparing it to the 2017 version. For that reason, I may be appreciating the movie's improvements more than a general audience would.
However, I needed to see the movie as a stand-alone project. Sure, there were improvements but does Project Ghazi hold up on its own, keeping in mind that this is the only version the audience will be watching?
A notification issued by Sindh government stated that the Old City Area includes Lyari, Kharadar, Saddar, Burnes Road and Denso Hall.
"In pursuance of the decision taken in the meeting regarding urban planning held on March 25, Karachi Old Town Revival is hereby constituted," the notification added. The seven-member committee headed by commissioner Karachi Division includes director general culture, tourism and antiquities department, DG Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), municipal commissioner, DG urban planning and strategic policy, project director of Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project and architect Yasmin Lari.
The committee will "work out strategy to revive/ develop old city/ enclaves/ quarters especially pedestrianisation in old areas of Karachi" and submit an action plan to the Sindh chief minister within 15 days.
"This may be extended to other enclaves as and when the committee will identify the old traits of roads and their traditional/ historic names acrros the city," it added.
A cache of arms and ammunition including explosives, rockets, mines, and mortar ammunition were recovered during the operation, the military's media wing added.
Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was launched in February 2017, with the objective of eliminating terrorism across the country.
The Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, civil armed forces as well as other security and law enforcement agencies continue to actively participate and support the efforts of the Pakistan Army to eliminate terrorist elements from the country.
In at least one location, police opened fire with tear gas and rubber bullets, chasing and beating demonstrators, after youths hurled stones at them, a journalist said.
The huge turnout came days after the military called for the long-serving leader’s removal to end a growing political crisis. State TV showed protests in several other cities as well.
The protests have been largely peaceful but have put pressure on the army to stabilise the country.
While many people are against Bouteflika and his shrinking inner circle, they also reject the army’s intervention in civilian political life.
“Street pressure will continue until the system goes,” said student Mohamed Djemai, 25, as hundreds of riot police kept an eye on the protests and helicopters flew overhead.
“We have only one word to say today, all the gang must go immediately, game over,” said Ali, a merchant, as other protesters shouted “the people want the fall of the regime”.
Families stood on balconies above the streets cheering the marchers — Algerians of all social classes, including journalists, doctors, teachers and homeless people.
The crowds shared out dates and water and bought ice cream from street vendors.
The army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah, on Tuesday asked the constitutional council to rule whether the ailing 82-year-old president is fit for office.
The move further isolated Bouteflika, who has failed to placate Algerians by reversing a decision to seek a fifth term.
Key allies have deserted the head of state, who has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013 and now faces the biggest crisis of his 20-year-old rule.
Protesters have ambitious demands in a country long- dominated by veterans of the 1954-1962 independence war against France, now seen by many Algerians as too old and out of touch.
They want to replace the establishment with a new generation of leaders capable of modernising the oil-dependent state and giving hope to a population impatient for a better life. “You are Titanic. You will sink,” protesters shouted.
The powerful military has stayed in the barracks throughout the unrest.
“There is a risk in involving soldiers in the protests because the soldiers are young. They could end up not listening to orders to confront protesters,” said a former military intelligence officer.
But Salah’s call for Bouteflika to go was a clear reminder to Algerians that the army intends to retain its vast influence in national affairs.
Saadia Belaid, a woman crying as she wore the flag of Algeria, said: “I cry because they kidnapped Algeria and the army’s proposal is a real travesty.” “We want the departure of Salah,” read a banner.
Salah’s call, however, received backing from the ruling FLN party and the main trade union, signalling that Bouteflika’s time was all but up.
In the latest blow to Bouteflika, one of his few remaining influential supporters, leading businessman Ali Haddad, resigned as head of the influential FCE business forum.
Haddad, who was awarded large public works projects by the government and has investments in the media, has helped to fund Bouteflikas election campaigns over the years.
“Corrupt people must go. We are determined to clean the country,” said post office employee Noueddine Menar, 33.
Under the constitution, the chairman of parliament’s upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah, would serve as caretaker president for at least 45 days after Bouteflika’s departure. But even if Bouteflika quits, there is no clear long-term successor.
The officials are working to find a binding agreement to address President Donald Trump’s complaints about the years of unfair treatment of US companies by China, that would allow them to roll back the tariffs hitting businesses in both countries.
“The two parties continued to make progress during candid and constructive discussions on the negotiations and important next steps,” the White House said in a statement Friday.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the latest round of trade discussions yielded “new progress,” without elaborating.
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will resume negotiations with China’s Vice Premier Liu He.
Mnuchin wrote on Twitter that he and Lighthizer “concluded constructive trade talks in Beijing” but he did not provide more details.
“I look forward to welcoming China’s Vice Premier Liu He to continue these important discussions in Washington next week,” he said.
The two negotiating teams, including China’s central bank chief Yi Gang, posed for pictures in front of Chinese and American flags at the conclusion of the latest round of talks, but they did not make statements to the media.
Officials are seeking to iron out major differences over US accusations that China has been using unfair trade practices for years by heavily subsidizing its companies while snatching the technological know-how of American firms.
Trump has said the two sides were close to a deal, repeatedly saying the talks are going “very well,” but officials have played down expectations of an imminent agreement.
In Washington, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Thursday the talks were not “time-dependent” and could last weeks or even months if necessary.
The talks are “policy and enforcement dependent”, Kudlow said.
The Chinese commerce ministry said a “large amount of work” remains to be done.
Tariffs as ‘leverage’
The two sides have imposed tariffs on $360 billion in two-way trade since last year but Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in December to refrain from further escalation.
Trump suggested last week that some of those tariffs should stay in place even after a deal is reached to ensure China keeps its end of any bargain.
“We have to see what the track record is and we’re not going to give up our leverage,” said Kudlow.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that all the tariffs will be kept in place, some of the tariffs will be kept there,” he told Bloomberg TV.
US insistence on keeping the first tranche of 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports could be a sticking point for a deal, analysts say.
It is hard to predict if China will accept a deal leaving some tariffs in place, said economist Cui Fan of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
The truce agreed by Xi and Trump called for “reaching a deal as soon as possible in the direction of mutually canceling the punitive tariffs slapped on by both sides,” Cui said.
Beijing has taken steps to address some US complaints, rushing through a law this month that promises to protect foreign firms from the forced transfer of technology.
It also includes language on protecting foreign companies’ commercial secrets, and fleshes out criminal penalties for officials who leak confidential information they obtain from overseas businesses.
Chinese state-owned companies also have stepped up purchases of American agricultural goods such as soybeans.
Massive purchases of American goods are expected to be part of any deal, in order to lower the politically sensitive US goods trade deficit with China, which reached a record high of $419.2 billion last year.
Bolton's most recent "do the right thing" tweet implores Padrino and the army to "protect the Constitutional order from Maduro's usurpation of democracy" – though US special envoy Elliott Abrams admitted earlier this month that Juan Guaido's self-appointed presidency was technically in violation of Venezuela's constitution, until he unilaterally opted to change it.
"Mr. Bolton, I tell you that we are doing the right thing," Padrino responded in a televised address. "Doing the right thing is doing what's written in the constitution... Doing the right thing is respecting the will of the people."
Bolton has been tweeting at Padrino all week – and those are just the messages he's sent publicly. The Venezuelan military's refusal to throw its support behind Juan Guaido, the opposition leader turned self-appointed US-backed "interim president," is clearly a thorn in his side.
"We call on the Venezuelan military to uphold its constitutional duty to protect the citizens of Venezuela," Bolton tweeted in a statement in which he also "cautioned" "actors external to the Western Hemisphere" – i.e.
Russia, mostly – to cease their "provocative actions" lest the US be forced to "defend and protect" its interests.
Padrino does not seem interested in Bolton's love letters, however, denouncing Guaido as "a self-proclaimed outlaw."
"We, the soldiers of the Motherland, do not accept the president imposed in the shadow of dark interests," he said.
The A-List actress and UN special envoy for refugees delivered the keynote address at a conference to raise support for UN peacekeeping missions at a time when the United States is seeking major budget cuts to the blue helmet operations.
“I’m a patriot. I love my country and I want to see it thrive,” Jolie told the gathering at the General Assembly.
“Countries working together on equal footing is how we reduce the risk of conflict. It is how we avoid the need to send men and women of our militaries to fight and sacrifice overseas.”
The United Nations was set up to find ways of resolving differences peacefully and “it is all in our interest for the UN to be made effective, brought closer to the lives of citizens, and not ever misused,” she added.
Jolie’s praise for the United Nations stood in contrast with the disdain US President Donald Trump’s administration has shown the world body.
Trump has cut US funding to the United Nations and his national security adviser John Bolton, a former UN ambassador, once remarked that if the UN’s 38-floor building “lost 10 stories, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference.”
Jolie, who has traveled to refugee camps worldwide, said that peacekeeping missions “often represent the last and only hope for millions of people facing daily threats to their safety and their basic rights.”
The award-winning actress made an appeal for increasing the number of women peacekeepers in UN missions.
“The state won’t be blackmailed anymore nor will it accept any pressure,” the minister asserted while addressing the Pakistan Rangers Sindh’s passing out parade here today.
“There will be no compromise on the country’s constitution and law,” he declared. “No one will be able to cripple us over phone from abroad.”
The minister said the state will compromise neither the country’s interests nor citizens’ respect.
Lauding the Rangers, he said the paramilitary troops exhibited high performance in every field. “Be it securing the country’s frontiers or restoration of peace in Karachi, they have fulfilled their responsibility everywhere.”
The Rangers brought peace to Karachi while overcoming all challenges, Afridi said, adding the force carried out more than 16, 000 operations within a period of five years and handed over more than 12,000 outlaws, including terrorists to police after arresting them.
He said Karachi’s situation has improved as compared to what it used to be in the past, adding the city has become a hub of economic and trade activities.
The holding of events such as International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), Aman-19 exercises and Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Karachi is the upshot of the Rangers’ efforts, the minister said. He hoped the elements that disturbed peace in Karachi won’t be allowed to revive their influence again.
Mr Sharif was scheduled to visit the Sharif Medical City (SMC) but he changed it and called the the panel of consultants at his residence where they examined him.
On Thursday the doctors at the Sharif Medical City examined him thoroughly advised him “complete rest”.
Mr Sharif was released from the Kot Lakhpat jail late on Tuesday night after the Supreme Court granted him bail for six weeks allowing him to get medical treatment from doctors of his choice in the country.
The warning by Iran's chargé d’affaires to the UN Es’haq Al-e Habib came in his address to a Security Council meeting on “threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts: combating the financing of terrorism.”
“If unchecked, terrorists and occupiers will evolve into a coalition. In fact, it has already happened. Israel supports terrorists in Syria in different ways, including healing the wounds of their terrorist sisters and brothers,” he went on to say.
British newspapers have reported on Takfiri terrorists being transferred to Israeli hospitals for treatment since the beginning of war in Syria. According to documents from Israeli hospitals, Israel’s army has paid millions of dollars for the treatment of terrorists injured in Syria.
Back in January, the Israeli military confirmed long-running reports of its collaboration with militant groups operating against the Syrian government, admitting that it had provided weapons to them.
In an interview with the British daily The Sunday Times, Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot, the army’s outgoing chief of staff, said the Israeli regime had supplied “light” weapons to militant groups operating in Syria’s Golan Heights for “self-defense.”
It was the first time Tel Aviv acknowledged supplying arms to militants fighting in Syria, after numerous reports emerged of the discovery of Israeli-made weapons, military equipment, and medicine during clean-up operations by the Syrian army.
In September, the Jerusalem Post removed an “explosive report,” which revealed the Israeli military had supplied weapons and ammunition to militants in the Golan Heights. The paper later told Russia’s RT that the report had been taken down at the request of the Israeli army’s “military censor.”
The Israeli regime is reportedly arming at least seven different terror groups in Syria’s Golan Heights, including the Fursan al-Joulan militant outfit.
The Golan Heights are part of the Syrian territory occupied by the Israeli regime since 1967. The occupied land has once again come under the spotlight after US President Donald Trump recognized the “Israeli sovereignty” over the territory.
The reinforcements were deployed on Friday morning as Gazans planned to stage a massive protest on Saturday to commemorate the first anniversary of the demonstrations, in the course of which Israeli soldiers have killed over 260 Palestinians.
Gaza medical officials said later in the day that Israeli troops shot and wounded 10 Palestinians on the Gaza border on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened on Thursday that Tel Aviv would wage a broad military campaign on Gaza if needed, after a two-day flare-up of cross-border fighting that has left several people injured on both sides.
The “Great March of Return” protests demand the right to return for those driven out of their homeland by Israeli aggression. They started on March 30 last year. Tensions have since been running high on the edge of Gaza. At least 26,000 Palestinians have also been wounded in the protests, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
A United Nations (UN) fact-finding mission found that Israeli forces committed rights violations during their crackdown against the Palestinian protesters in Gaza that may amount to war crimes.
Egypt, the UN, and others have been trying to broker a deal to limit the level of violence.
‘Hamas agrees to Egyptian-brokered de-escalation deal’
Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas has reportedly backed an Egyptian proposal to foster calm along the border ahead of the planned protests, two Hamas officials said Friday.
The officials said that a delegation of Egyptian officials had held talks with Hamas and other factions in Gaza in meetings that continued until the early hours of Friday. One Hamas official who attended the meetings said the resistance movement had supported an Egyptian proposal that would see demonstrators stay several hundred meters from the fence.
In return, he said, “the Egyptians informed us that the (Israelis) promised to ease their [restrictive] measures.” Israel has reportedly vowed not to fire on the protesters unless they approached the fence and to allow Qatar to increase the amount of its aid to Gaza, among other measures. A second Hamas official confirmed the report.
Gaza has been under Israeli siege since June 2007, which has caused a decline in living standards. Israel has launched three major wars against the enclave since 2008, killing thousands of Gazans each time and shattering the impoverished territory’s already poor infrastructure.