Indian HC supports revival of cricket to normalize Pak-India ties

KARACHI: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Saturday said there was a lot of positivity among the people of India and Pakistan.The governments also have positive intentions to normalize the relations.“There is need for taking at least small positive steps to create environment for major decisions on different counts,” he said during an interaction with members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Moving towards this direction, India has taken a "baby" step by softening its visa policy for Pakistan's senior citizen and the children under age of 12 years, and issuing visas on humanitarian ground in some particular cases.To a question, he said normally it took 30 to 35 days to process an application by a Pakistani for an Indian visa. However, the Indian mission here tried its best to make the process easier.On pointation that even Pakistani businessmen were issued India visas at the eleventh hour to attend or participate any trade event, Indian High Commissioner assured that in future they would get visa in time.Indian envoy said he firmly believed that the neighboring countries must have good relations with each other. "We would encourage every positive effort towards peace," he re-affirmed.He said despite many issues/ hindrances, the bilateral trade last year figured dollars 2.2 billion. The fact is that, the trade potential on both the sides was more than 30 billion dollars per year.He suggested that business communities and the general public on the both sides should come up and form pressure groups/lobbies to push their government to work for closer relations in the two countries.He was optimistic that both the governments had adopted positive approach and had agreed that both the countries should respect each other. He said both the countries had also decided to exchange the prisoners.He appreciated Pakistan Navy’s good gesture to save India fishermen from drowning in the sea.India diplomat said there should also be series of cricket matches between the two neighbouring counties to normalize the environment and bring the peoples closer.He said Karachi was a safer place even for foreigners.When his comments were sought on Indian stance on China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he simply said his country's position was very clear on CPEC for certain reasons. However, he added, it was good to establish connectivity in the region.President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muffasar Atta Malik, Chairman, Businessmen Group in KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Haji Abdul Razzaq were also present.

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Army, PAF test joint conventional fire power capability

JHELUM: Pakistan Army and Air Force tested their joint conventional fire power capability in Central Command exercise at Jhelum firing ranges. Commander Central Command Lt General Azhar Saleh Abbasi briefed the audience about aims, objectives and conduct of exercise.The exercise marked culmination of a process aimed at integrating all available fire power assets / sensors held with both Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force through an optimised near real time Sensor – Shooter Grid in a Network Assisted Environment. Various concepts related to integration of firepower assets like PAF, Artillery, Air Defence, SSG, Army Aviation, Infantry and Armour in support of offensive and defensive manoeuvres in a Conventional War were practiced, perfected and validated during the exercise.CGS Pakistan Army Lieutenant General Bilal Akbar witnessed the concluding event as chief guest. A large number of senior Army and Air Force officers witnessed the fire power display.The CGS applauded efforts of all ranks in making the exercise professionally rewarding and reiterated requirement for continuous efforts to hone professional skills in defence of motherland.The CGS commended their services while also congratulating them on conduct of successful exercise.

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Naeem Bukhari rejects propaganda on London accident

KARACHI: PTI leader Naeem Bukhari has rejected rumors circulating on social media with regard to his accident at a London subway on Wednesday. “I fainted and suffered a collapse at an underground station in London,” Bokhari told media persons on Saturday. “My wife and daughter were with me when I fell flat on my face and suffered injuries,” he said, adding that there was no truth on propaganda being done on social media. Mr Bokhari said that his condition was stable now and would be discharged from hospital in the next few days. Bukhari was in London to raise funds for NAMAL College and Shaukat Khanum Hospital. According to PTI, Bukhari had received injuries on head and ribs but is out of danger. He was shifted to London’s St Mary's Hospital.

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Six miners dead, 13 missing in Quetta

QUETTA: At least six miners who were trapped along with 13 others by Saturday's gas explosion in Quetta have been found dead, officials said.“Six bodies have been recovered from the coalmine and 13 are still missing,” Quetta Commission Javed Anwar Shahwani told media persons. “Rescue operation is under way by coalmine teams to find the missing as early as possible,” he said. Mining accidents are common in Pakistan. At least 11 workers at mines in different parts of Pakistan have died since the end of March.Six workers were reportedly killed on the night of 4 and 5 April after an explosion at a coalmine in the Sorab area of Kalat released a poisonous gas, suffocating workers to death.At least four labourers, including two brothers, were killed while two others injured when explosions triggered a collapse in a coal mine in Jhelum in April this year.

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Shehbaz urges Imran to end feud with Nawaz

RAHIMYAR KHAN: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged PTI chairman Imran Khan to mend ties with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. ”Khan sahab says that Shehbaz Sharif is more dangerous than Nawaz Sharif. Khan sahab, it took you so long to realize that Nawaz Sharif is a gentleman and I am dangerous. You should reconcile with Nawaz Sharif,” Mr Sharif said while speaking at Khawaja Farid University in Rahimyar Khan on Saturday.The chief minister said that those chanting slogans of South Punjab had turned the region into desert during their term but the PML-N government installed solar power plants to turn the tide. He said that power plants with generation capacity of thousands of megawatts were set up by Nawaz Sharif-led government. In a separate event, Sharif said that Nawaz Sharif would lead the PML-N’s campaign in the upcoming general elections. “Mian sahab, we will not let you withdraw from the election. You shall contest the elections,” he said.The chief minister said that he would continue to build new universities, colleges and hospitals . 

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CJ takes notice of killing of six labourers in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Saturday took notice on killing of six labourers hailing from Okara while fixing phone tower in area of Liji at District Kharan.Moreover, it has also been reported that almost one and half years back, Chairman of District Council of same area was kidnapped and his whereabouts are still unknown, said a press release issued here.Taking notice of the incidents, the Chief Justice has issued notice to Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police Balochistan.The chief justice fixed the matter for hearing on 11.5.2018 (Friday) at Supreme Court Branch Registry Quetta.

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International Maritime Symposium 2018 to be held on 07 May 2018

Islamabad: Institute of Maritime Affairs (IMA), BU Islamabad, is holding one day "International Maritime Symposium" on 07 May 2018, in Islamabad. The main theme of symposium is "Impact of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the Geo-economics of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Prospects for Pakistan, the Region and Beyond," according to a press issued by Pakistan Navy on Saturday. Reputed national and international speakers will participate in the event.This symposium is highly significant due to the current shift of global power from West to East and rapidly changing economic and political dynamics. Furthermore, experts are of the opinion that Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) coupled with interests of regional/extra regional actors' is the major factor affecting the future of Indian Ocean Region. In this scenario, the symposium aims to understand the emerging trends in the region and potential implications of BRI at national as well as at regional level. The focus of discussion in the Symposium will mainly be on Geo-economics in the backdrop of Geo-political and strategic issues including security aspects.This symposium will not only bring out the economic and security prospects of BRI for Pakistan but will also serve a national platform to enhance the maritime awareness, particularly about the emerging trends in the Indian Ocean Region. 

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5 Movie Sequels That Actually Ruined Famous Characters

By Jason Iannone,Nathan Kamal,Jordan Breeding,Michael Battaglino  Published: May 05th, 2018 

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That Time The Supreme Court Believed In Ghosts

By Cracked Writers  Published: May 05th, 2018 

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The Adorable Tradition That American Politics Needs To Steal

By Adam Wears  Published: May 04th, 2018 

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Somehow, The Flat Earth Movement Is Just Getting Crazier

By Cedric Voets  Published: May 04th, 2018 

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No place for politics of hatred, fear in Karachi, says CM

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Karachi had experienced dark clouds on its political horizon in 1980s and everywhere there was a wave of fear and insecurity but “we have cleared it completely and will not allow anyone to repeat it again.”This he said while talking to media just after visiting the historic NJV school on Saturday. He was accompanied by Minister Education Jam Mehtab Dahar. A bout MQM rally at Tanki Ground Azizabad, the chief minister said that everyone has right to do politics and organize public meetings. “There is no ban on political activities, but let me state that the culture of fear and insecurity cultivated during 1980s would not be allowed to repeat again,” he said.The people of Karachi are educated and cultured, this is why they have rejected those who had destroyed the peace of this city, polluted politics with terrorism, hatred just to establish their sway, he said. “Now we have cleared the dark clouds from the horizon of this city, now this city belongs to each and every one who lives here and works here and we have to make city `city of peace and tranquility,’ he said.The chief minister said that people had not heard of Tanky Ground Liaquatabad before. Ever since, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a public meeting there and got unflinching support and response from the people of the area, everyone is rushing there to hold public meetings. “We have set a tradition and now others are following it,” he said and added “let them follow us but they know very well that people are not with them,” he said.

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Adopted son kills mother, two sisters to grab their property

GUJRANWALA: A woman along with two daughters was allegedly killed by her adopted son here in Ghania, an area of Kamonki Tehseel. It was reported that Adeel, identified as the convict, killed his adoptive mother and her two daughters in his yearn to possess their 8-acre land property. According to initial inquiries, Razia, a resident of Ghania, was gunned dead with her daughters while they were sleeping, the police sources said. Razia had adopted Adeel after her husband had died and he had been living with them ever since.The police informed that it was a premediated murder and the convict has been taken into custody. Police has recovered fingerprints and related evidence from the site. Further investigations are being carried out, the police added.

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Nisar says advised Nawaz to dial back criticism on judiciary, army

ISLAMABAD: Veteran PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar said that he had advised Nawaz Sharif to tone down his criticism against army and judiciary in the wake of his ouster by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Nisar said that he had opposed Nawaz Sharif from going to the Supreme Court  in the Panama case. “After the Panama verdict, I went straight to Nawaz Sahrif and advised him to concentrate on the next general elections and dial back his tone and tenor against judiciary and army.”Nawaz Sharif told me how was it possible. “Who had asked us to go to the Supreme Court? Who had asked us to accept the JIT? We did. Who had asked to make a televised speech? We did. And when you go to the Supreme Court and write a letter to set up a judicial commission and when an adverse verdict comes, we are to blame. Only Supreme Court can undo the Supreme Court’s decision. We should not reach a point of no return.” “Let me clarify that I am not angry with my party. I have no demands. I have never demanded any position within my party. I had served as a minister thrice even before joining the PML-N. I am a founder member of this party. Although Nawaz Sharif is the leader of this party, but there were 25 founder members. Except me, not a single founder member is in the party now.”Nisar said that at least four members of  Musharraf government were elected as  senators by the PML-N. "I have no grudge against them.  In fact some are very good friends. But it's a matter of principle."The former minister said that he had serious reservations about Senate elections, but  yet he voted for his party's candidates. "I had to leave my ministry due to  my stance."He lamented that Nawaz Sharif and his daughter kept on taunting him in media talks. "I have carried the burden of PML-N and Nawaz Sharif for 25 years, but I will not a lackey of anyone."He said that PML-N media cell had been running a malicious campaign against him. "I had always stood with Nawaz Sharif whenever there was a civil-military tension." "I have always been a devil's advocate.  But I cannot tolerate the personal insults and character assassination ."He said that he had written a letter to Nawaz Sharif to call a meeting of CEC to hold consultation  on Dawn Leaks and other issues, but  he never got a response. No intention to quit PML-N"I have no intention to leave the party. But what the future holds for me will come to fore in the next two to three months," he said. He said Pakistan has been facing dangerous times and the biggest responsibility  was on Nawaz Sharif to steer the country out of crises. 

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