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Gunman opened fire on them in Islamabad's Sector I-8 from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2F0zK5H

Batting coach admits atmosphere is not a happy one as results go from bad to worse from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2Qeho1Z

Talks seek to bring an end to 17 years of conflict from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2LFSiIH

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Maliha Lodhi on Monday discussed human rights and gender empowerment issues in Pakistan. “Pakistan is moving forward on its human rights and gender empowerment commitments and we need to send this message across the globe,” Dr Shireen Mazari said during a meeting with Dr Maleeha Lodhi here at the Ministry of Human Rights. During the meeting, Pakistan’s commitment to improve the human rights and gender empowerment conditions within country and ways to project Pakistan’s endeavours in this regard at the international level were discussed. Read More: Punjab govt will soon ban the disclosure of baby’s gender during pregnancy. They also deliberated upon the ways to raise Pakistan’s concerns over human rights violations in the Indian held Kashmir and condition of Muslims in the Europe. The minister apprised Dr Lodhi of the various steps being taken by the government in the direct

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the authorities concerned to take best security arrangements to maintain law and order situation in the province in the wake of new year celebrations. While issuing directions to the Provincial Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, he said implementation of law should be ensured at every cost and indiscriminate action should be taken against the elements engaged in aerial firing. The chief minister said that senior police officers should remain in the field. He also directed for necessary arrangement to ensure the flow of traffic. Read More: Karachi: Police announces traffic plan for New Year night Meanwhile, he felicitated nation on advent of the new year and hoped that 2019 will bring about a prosperous and developed Pakistan. In his message issued on Monday, Buzdar said that new year will emerge as a harbinger of bright future for the people of Pakistan. He said that we will leave no stone unturned to transform the

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed divisional administration and the police to keep the sea view area accessible for the public on the New Year night so that the visitors could enjoy with any hassle, ordering the authorities to take strict action against those carrying weapons or using narcotics and harassing the visitors. He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting to review security arrangements made for New Year night here in Karachi at the Chief Minister House on Sunday evening. Home Secretary Kazi Kabir, principal secretary to the CM Sajid Jamal Abro, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shahalwani, Additional IG Special Branch and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Dr Waliullah Dal, DIGs of districts South, East and West and the SSP South. The officials informed the chief minister that roads leading to Sea View were being closed by placing containers and that strict checking would be carried on streets throughout the city. The chief minister, displea

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday said that there was a need to utilise modern information technology tools in service delivery by all institutions including Banking Mohtasib of Pakistan (BMP). The president said this while talking to Banking Mohtasib Anisul Hassnain in Karachi who called on him in Islamabad. Arif Alvi was also briefed in detail regarding the activities and performance of the office of Banking Mohtasib. He emphasized that timely implementation of Banking Mohtasib’s findings was of utmost importance for the satisfaction of complainants. He underscored that awareness campaigns including seminars must be launched so that maximum number of people could benefit from this institution. He also stressed that preventive measures against increased cyber crimes in banking sector should also be ensured. The president appreciated the role of Banking Mohtasib (Ombudsman) towards protecting consumers from financial losses and assured his support to the institution. Th

RAWALPINID: A woman was martyred and nine others sustained bullet wounds when Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing across the line of control (LoC) targeting civil population in Shahkot sector on Monday. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, a woman, Asia Bibi was martyred while 9 civilians, including two women and three children got injured in the incident. Pakistan army responded effectively on Indian posts to silent guns targeting civilians, said the army’s media wing. Read More: Soldier martyred in Indian shelling from across LoC It is pertinent to mention here that  a soldier of Pakistan Army was martyred as Indian forces resort to unprovoked shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), said Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on November 8. As per details, Indian forces in a recent act of ceasefire violation, targeted Thab sector of LoC, resulting in martyrdom of sepoy, Zaheer Ahmed. The post Woman martyred in unprovoked firing by Ind

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan has said Pakistan was looking forward to boost its existing cooperation in the field of power with Iran. Talking to Iranian ambassador Mehdi Honardoost in Islamabad on Monday, he assured  that the Power Division will soon hold comprehensive discussion with Iranian side on renewal of agreement for 100 MW electricity import to Pakistan from Iran. Both the sides reiterated to continue jointly exploring further avenues in the field of power generation and transmission. Read More: Power DISCOs directed to hold open courts for consumers Last week, the Power Division has directed all the electricity distribution companies to hold Khuli Katchehris (open courts) at circles level to resolve the problems faced by the consumers. The companies have also been directed to share details of those Khuli Katchehris with the Power Division on regular basis for monitoring. Minister for Power Division Omar Ayub Khan and Secretary Power Irfan Ali will also

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday said that former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif's decision to give the charge of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) to Dr Saeed Akhtar "out of affection" led to the hospital's downfall. The chief justice made those remarks while hearing a suo motu case against irregularities and misappropriation of funds at the PKLI. "The former chief minister, out of affection, gave the hospital's [charge] to some doctor," said the judge, who was heading a two-member bench. "The doctor added to the trust some who had no role. The entire hospital is a mess." Justice Nisar addressed Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel of Mujahid Sherdil whose appointment as the CEO of Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) was questioned by the top judge during a hearing in August . "Now you have come to defend a person who wasted Rs34 billion," he told Ahsan. "So much money was spent at t

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday denied allegations that the federal government was seeking a power shift in Sindh at the expense of the PPP, and clarified that the PTI was merely seeking the resignation of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Tempers between Sindh and the PTI-led federal government have flared over the last week after the latter placed on the exit control list (ECL) 172 suspects named in a report compiled by a joint investigation team probing a fake bank accounts case. Among those placed on the no-fly list is Shah. Take a look: Zardari, Bilawal & the future of PPP In the aftermath of the ECL placements, speculation had become rife that PTI is eyeing a power shift in Sindh by imposing governor's rule — something Chaudhry denied today. "All we demand is the resignation of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah," Chaudhry said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. "We never said that governor rule should be imposed in Sindh. Med

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Asghar Khan's legal heirs after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) suggested that a case relating to the implementation of a landmark 2012 verdict issued on a petition by the late chief air marshal be closed. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken up a final report submitted by the FIA last week on the Asghar Khan implementation case . The agency has stated in the report, the executive summary of which has been seen by Dawn.com , that the authorities did not have enough evidence to launch a criminal prosecution against the individuals named in the judgement of the apex court. Editorial: FIA’s incredible request The 2012 SC verdict was issued on a petition filed in 1996 by Asghar Khan requesting the top court to look into allegations that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had secretly bankrolled many politicians in the 1990 elections by dishing out Rs140 million. According to the FIA report, 18 poli

A luxury Philippine hotel and casino has called off a world record attempt for releasing tens of thousands of balloons to mark the New Year following complaints from environmental groups and a government warning. Okada Manila, a sprawling resort in the country’s capital that includes a hotel, casino and restaurants, had planned to ring in 2019 by dropping 130,000 balloons in one of its nightclubs to set a new world record. But in a statement late Sunday, the Okada Manila resort said it had voluntarily cancelled the stunt as a “sign of respect” to environmentalists’ warnings, and “in support of the Government’s campaign to protect and save the environment”. The country’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources had joined green groups in criticising the planned balloon drop, saying it would generate huge amounts of waste, but did not have the authority to stop it. In a statement Monday, DENR chief Roy Cimatu described Okada Manila’s decision as “laudable”. He said other ho

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz  (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Asif Ali Zardari were running corruption networks in Punjab and Sindh respectively. Addressing a press conference, Fawad Chaudhry said that PPP and PML-N signed the charter of democracy to conceal the corruption of each other. He said the political carriers of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari have ended The information minister said that PTI does not believe in the policy of controlling institutions and added the government did not interfere in the findings of the JIT on fake accounts. Fawad Chaudhry said that the tax payers’ money in Sindh had been spending in London and Dubai and added that the JIT report exposed mega corruption scams against the PPP leadership. He said the budget allocated for hospitals and health sector went to Zardari’s account in Sindh. Fawad Chaudhry said that PTI stopped the politics of re

Pakistan faces a host of challenges on the external front with a volatile situation on eastern and western borders of the country. The country’s relations with BJP’s India are at a historic low whereas, in the west, the ties with Afghanistan are also marred by formidable challenges due to the neighbouring country’s internal security situation. Relations with Iran, too, are not as good as they were in the past. In this situation, China is the country’s only neighbour with which mutually beneficial strategic and economic ties are strengthening. It was, therefore, necessary for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to take foreign policy steps that would not only ensure peaceful borders but also support its economy which has made a steep downhill trajectory since past several months. As the year 2018 comes to an end, it will be pertinent to review what the new government has gained on the diplomatic front in its four months in the office after swearing in August this year. T

CANCALE: Gulping down oysters has long been a favourite New Year’s Eve ritual for the French, but as winters get warmer and summers get drier many growers worry there will soon be fewer of the prized mollusks to go around. “Twenty years ago, we’d be shivering in the warehouse while preparing the holiday orders. Today it’s 15 degrees (60 Fahrenheit),” says Brittany oysterman Mathieu Le Moal, his sleeves rolled up in front of a tractor carrying dozens of bulging oyster sacks. “We don’t have seasons anymore — but oysters need all four,” Le Moal adds. “They need the winter, it’s when they can rest, use less energy.” Inside a wooden hanger redolent of salt and the sea, around a dozen of his workers are sorting, weighing and packing oysters into crates in the Brittany port of Cancale. Le Moal and other farmers along this stretch of France’s Emerald Coast say the long drought which struck swathes of the country this summer took a heavy toll, leading to smaller harvests, and smaller shell

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that the development and progress of erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is the top priority of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Presiding over a high-level meeting to review the facilities of education, heath, administrative issues and peace, PM Imran ordered to expedite efforts to impose local government system in the tribal areas. He also reviewed the next three months plan for the tribal areas and directed to provide jobs immediately to locals in health, education, police and other departments. PM Imran directed to provide health cards to 0.5 million families of the tribal areas and directed the ministers to visit the areas on regular basis. Finance Minister Asad Umar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Governor Shah Farman and other officials were present in the meeting. PM Imran directs provision of health, education facilities in tribal areas     It is pertinent to mention here tha

MOSCOW: Russia’s domestic security service (FSB) said on Monday it had detained an American citizen suspected of spying in Moscow. The FSB, which said the American had been detained on December 28, said in a statement that a criminal case had been opened against him. It did not provide any detail about the nature of the alleged espionage. The US Embassy in Moscow could not immediately be reached for comment. Russia’s relations with the United States have soured since Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Since then the United States and other Western countries have imposed a wide-range of sanctions against Russian officials, companies and banks.   The post Russia detains American in Moscow over suspected spying appeared first on ARYNEWS . from ARYNEWS http://bit.ly/2VjLyVr

TEHRAN: Iran said Monday that the Afghan Taliban have visited Tehran for a second round of peace talks in just a few days aimed at bringing an end to 17 years of conflict. Iran has made a more concerted and open push for peace in neighbouring Afghanistan since US President Donald Trump indicated there would be a significant withdrawal of American troops. “Yesterday (Sunday), a delegation of Taliban were in Tehran and lengthy negotiations were held with Iran’s deputy foreign minister… (Abbas) Araghchi,” said spokesman Bahram Ghasemi at a televised news conference. That came just days after Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, visited Kabul and told reporters that talks had been held with the Taliban in Afghanistan. “The Islamic Republic has always been one of the primary pillars of stability in the region and cooperation between the two countries will certainly help in fixing Afghanistan’s security issues of today,” Shamkhani told the conservative T

Another year has passed and the Kashmir issue stands unresolved. Ruthless killings, pellet injuries, rapes, house arrests – Indian atrocities uninterruptedly escalated and so did the spirit and courage of Kashmiris in their fight for freedom. The report of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights (IFJHRJK) documented the alarming figure of 355 civilian killings, including a 10-year-old boy, a pregnant woman and three PhD scholars in Kashmir in 2018. About half a million Indian soldiers are deployed in the Muslim-majority state, where more than 260 people were killed only in 2017. A brief timeline, detailing important events in the held territory are as follows: January Jan 15 – Just after 15 days into the 2018, at least five Kashmiris were martyred in a joint operation conducted by Indian Army and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). Jan 17 – The eight-year-old girl, Asifa, from the Gujjar community was abducted on January 10 from Hindu-dominated Kathua and her hacked bod

A Turkish television station has broadcast CCTV footage showing men carrying cases and bags which it says contained slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s body parts. DISTURBING VIDEO…. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED  The  images shown on  A-Haber  television  late on Sunday feature three men carrying five suitcases and two large black bags into the home of the Saudi consul general in Istanbul. The residence lies a short distance from the Saudi consulate where Khashoggi was murdered in October in a killing that has tested Riyadh’s relations with the West. Citing unnamed Turkish sources,  A-Haber  said Khashoggi’s dismembered body was inside the cases and bags. Khashoggi, a contributor to  The Washington Post , was killed on October 2 shortly after entering the kingdom’s consulate in what Riyadh called a “rogue” operation. The 59-year-old former Saudi insider turned critic was strangled before he was cut up into pieces by a team of 15 Saudis sent to Istanbul for the killing, accor

KARACHI: Khurrum Sher Zaman, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker in the provincial assembly, submitted an adjournment motion against Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in Sindh Assembly on Monday. According to details, the submitted adjournment motion demands a discussion on the revelations of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report in the money laundering and fake accounts case, during the next session of Sindh Assembly. The adjournment motion further claimed that CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah misused his authority by intentionally providing illegal assistance to the Omni Group, one of the key suspects in mega money laundering case. In his media talk, Zaman warned, “We won’t let the assembly session run smoothly if our motion is rejected. Our prime demand is to replace Murad Ali Shah.” It is pertinent to mention here that the report of the JIT had pointed to the Zardari Group and Omni Group’s involvement in the mega money laundering scam. Following the findings of the JIT report, th

ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday said that socio-economic development of the country is directly linked with quality education. Chairing a 38th meeting of Senate of Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) in Karachi, Arif Alvi said that educational institutions must make all possible efforts to impart quality education at par with international standards and practices. According to a statement released from his house, President Alvi underlined that socio-economic development of the country is top most priority of the Government. He was also briefed in detail regarding the initiatives being taken and issues faced by the university. The president said that quality education and human resource development is of paramount importance in this regard. He stressed that universities must prepare our youth in such a way that they could meet the challenges of modern era and play their constructive role in progress and prosperity of the homeland. The post

ISLAMABAD: Public Accounts Committee Chairman Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is in contact with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) to finalize the sub-committees. Chairing the PAC meeting at the Parliament House, Shehbaz Sharif said that soon they will finalize the members of sub committees. Briefing the PAC meeting, Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) said that their function is to ensure transparency in the public offices and added that his organization is working under the clauses of 168 and 171 of the constitution. He said that they work in collaboration with the parliament and the administration to ensure transparency. The auditor general told the meeting that audit papers of Grand Hyatt hotel, Palm Club and new airport are under consideration. Read More: IHC reserves verdict on Shehbaz’s appointment as PAC chairman It is pertinent to mention here that Islamabad High Court (IHC

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in its report has recommended the Supreme Court to close Asghar Khan case citing its inability to collect evidence needed to initiate criminal proceedings. A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed the hearing regarding the non-implementation of its October 2012 judgment in the Asghar Khan case. The apex court today issued notices to the legal heirs of late Asghar Khan in the case and adjourned the hearing for a week. The FIA in its report filed in the court stated that the case is more than 25 years old and the concerned banks do not have the details of deposits made at that time. The FIA report said that the statements of witnesses in the case contradict each other, whereas the accused politicians have denied receiving any payments. The agency said that it does not have enough evidence to restart criminal proceedings, recommending that the case should be closed. Asghar Khan Case In 1996, Air Marshal A

Epsom salt is one of the trendy therapy for curing many diseases & health related issues. Mainly used to reduce muscle soreness and stress. This salt is very cheap in price in every part of the world, and easily available. It is very beneficial & harmless when it is used properly. Epsom Salt- What is it? Epsom salt is also known by its chemical name magnesium sulfate. It is a chemical compound consisting of magnesium, sulfur & oxygen. This name is originated from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, the place where it got discovered. Epsom salt is very different than the normal salt, but we call it salt due to its chemical arrangement. But it looks very much alike to table salt, specially used in baths and also identified as “bath salt”, much bitter and indigestible in taste. Since many years, epsom salt is used to take care of illnesses, including constipation, sleeplessness, and fibromyalgia. It is observed that when Epsom salt is liquefied in water, it discharges

Hosts pick up 20-run victory on New Year's eve from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2F1sMNy

Maryam does not want to leave the country, he says from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2EWTsON

No case has been registered, despite the family's appeal from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2Vjk822

North London side desperate to get back to winning ways following shock 3-1 defeat to Wolves from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2Ss0sHp

Ambar Shamsi discusses this important case and its implications from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2AlUxwE

The excise dept will forward a summary to the CM for approval from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2Stqw4R

Three men were seen carrying five suitcases and two large black bags from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2GPMpde

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday claimed that the party can not only oust the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) but also send the rulers behind bars. The PPP supremo was talking to media after paying a visit to the resident of slain politician Ali Raza Abidi. Bilawal expressed these views in an already heated political atmosphere , as PTI leaders seek to replace the ruling PPP in Sindh . Meanwhile, the PPP's leadership had also adopted a more strident tone against the PTI, accusing Prime Minister Imran Khan of being a puppet . The PPP leader, when asked about the chances of change in the provincial government, strongly criticised the PTI, saying that they know nothing about politics "as well as counting". "I have 99 seats in Sindh and they (the PTI) will have to arrange 49 turncoats to form a government, because after the 18th Amendment you need more than 50 per cent majority for vote on the chief minister's [slot]." Bilawal went a ste

A Turkish television station has broadcast CCTV footage showing men carrying cases and bags which it says contained slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's body parts. The images shown on A-Haber television late on Sunday feature three men carrying five suitcases and two large black bags into the home of the Saudi consul general in Istanbul. The residence lies a short distance from the Saudi consulate where Khashoggi was murdered in October in a killing that has tested Riyadh's relations with the West. Citing unnamed Turkish sources, A-Haber said Khashoggi's dismembered body was inside the cases and bags. Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post , was killed on October 2 shortly after entering the kingdom's consulate in what Riyadh called a "rogue" operation. The 59-year-old former Saudi insider turned critic was strangled before he was cut up into pieces by a team of 15 Saudis sent to Istanbul for the killing, according to Turkish officials,

In 2018, the greenback increased 27% against the rupee to reach an all-time high of Rs140.3 from Samaa Digital http://bit.ly/2RumLyK

RAWALPINDI: Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister for Defence Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Ayesh called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement. According to details, the military’s media wing reported that matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, including regional security and enhanced bilateral defence cooperation. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a history of strong and friendly bilateral ties. Earlier in December, President Dr. Arif Alvi met Saudi King Shah Salman and agreed to further strengthen relations between both the Islamic countries. The two leaders met in Riyadh and discussed bilateral ties, regional situation and issues of mutual interest. King Salman underscored the importance of time-tested Pak-Saudi relationship, and said that the relations between the two brotherly countries were excellent at all levels. He also commended the positive role played by Pakistani expatriate

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Haleem Adil Sheikh has claimed that more than PTI, a number of MPAs belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) want to get rid of current Sindh chief minister, ARY News reported. “We want someone to replace (Murad Ali Shah as) CM but a large number of PPP MPAs too want to get rid of this CM Sindh for their are a few PPP loyalists and beneficiaries (in Sindh Assembly,” Haleem Adil Sheikh told ARY News on Sunday. The PTI leader maintained that there are “three categories” of PPP MPAs in Sindh Assembly; first, the loyalists, the other, beneficiaries and the third, who stayed away from their “corrupt” practices. “So there is a large number of MPAs who are in contact with us,” said Haleem Adil Sheikh, adding that PTI, which rules in the Center, has other constitutional options too, whether the party exercises it or not. “Governor rule is an option, whether we exercise it or not,” added Sheikh. More to follow…   The post ‘A large numbe