Nawaz firm on taking on NAB over money laundering issue

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to not step back on NAB money laundering allegations terming them as a ‘very serious’ matter.Talking to journalists outside accountability court on Friday, the PML-N Quaid said what is happening today we never saw it even during military regimes.Today, we have convened a meeting of party's Central Executive Committee, top decision making body, to discuss this issue, the elder Sharif said.Nawaz said he had discussed this with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi too.Earlier this week, the accountability bureau said in a statement that the anti-graft body is verifying media reports that Nawaz Sharif had illegally transferred $4.9 billion to India helping New Dehli strengthen forex reserves. The World Bank denied releasing any such details in the report. PM Abbasi asked the National Assembly to summon NAB Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal and constitute a special committee to probe it.And on Thursday, Nawaz dared the bureau’s chairman to furnish proof of money laundering to India against him or quit the office within 24 hours.Terming the allegations as shameful, Nawaz said the NAB and its chairman had lost credibility.Alleging that his disqualification was predetermined, he stated that NAB’s press release was an episode of an upcoming accountability drama. “They deposed me for an Iqama when they could not prove corruption. I have faced over 70 hearings – they are hunting for something that can be used to send me packing for good.”Referring to the NAB's probe against him involving alleged money laundering of $4.9 billion to India, he said the cases being heard against him by an accountability court were also based on unverified media reports, originating from the so-called Panama Papers. “You can recall that I was not named in the Panama Papers but whatever happened is before you," he said.

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Pakistan imposes restrictions on US diplomats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday enforced restrictions on US diplomats, in a tit-for-tat move against Trump administration's similar measures against its diplomats.In a notification issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US diplomatis have been deprived of several facilities that were earlier available to them. The facilities include:1) Use of tinted glass on official and rented transport2) Use of non-diplomatic number plates on official vehicles30 Use of diplomatic number plates on unspecified/rented vehicles4) Use of bio-metrically unverified/unregistered cell phone SIMs5) Hiring or shifting of rented properties without prior NOC6) Installing radio communication at residences and safe houses without prior NOC7) Overshooting visa validity periods and having multiple passportsUnder the Trump administration’s decision, the officials of the Pakistan Embassy and four consulates are required to get permission from the State Department five days before going beyond the set limits.

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Targeted killing of Hazaras is ethnic cleansing, observes CJ Nisar

QUETTA: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday observed that for him targeted killings of Hazara community is akin to ethnic cleansing.The CJP had taken suo moto notice of continued attacks on Hazara Community in Quetta and sought a comprehensive report from the Ministry of Interior and government of Balochistan as he questioned whether the community was not part of Pakistan and who was responsible for maintaining law and order situation.During today's hearing Balochistan police chief presented the details of incidents took place in the province. Since 2012, 250 people have become victim of targeted killings, he said adding that out of these, 96 belonged to Shia sect, while 106 security personnel embraced martyrdom.CJP Nisar directed the IGP to prepare a strategy for the security of Hazaras. It is our responsibility to ensure their security and that is why I had to take notice of this serious issue, he remarked.According to a report by the National Commission for the Human Rights released in March this year, the Hazara community has suffered 509 killings in Quetta city during the last five years, January, 2012 to December, 2017.During the month of April, 2018 alone, there have been four separate terrorist attacks on Hazara men resulting in the death of six persons. The right to life is the most sacred human right guaranteed by Article 9 of the Constitution.Taking suo motu notice of such an alarming situation, the CJP issued notices to the government of Balochistan through its Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, its IGP, Frontier Constabulary, the Government of Pakistan through the Interior Secretary and the Secretary Ministry of Defence for filing their reports within 10 days, on measures taken by the respective forces and agencies under their charge to ensure the security of Hazara community in Quetta and also to report causes for their failure to safeguard the lives of the members of the Hazara community.

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Pakistan, India need to engage, resolve disputes: NSA Janjua

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser Lt General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua Thursday said Pakistan and India were nuclear powers and both needed to engage each other, resolve disputes and move forward as their tense relationship was having an effect on the whole region.Speaking at a seminar on “peace a dividend for development and stability in Afghanistan”, he said relations between India and Pakistan were not good.“Both countries are not talking to each other and the relations between them are tense.” The two countries had to think whether they wanted to remain enemies forever, he added.He said Pakistan would continue to play its role for peace in the region and would work along with Afghanistan under their cooperative framework to achieve regional stability.“Peace in Afghanistan is necessary for stability in the region. Pakistan direly wanted peace and progress in Afghanistan.” He recalled that Afghanistan was abandoned by world powers after the withdrawal of USSR which created a vacuum.Afterwards, the attack on United States on 9/11 created chaos and everyone supported United States in the war on Afghanistan and the US dismantled Taliban regime by using excessive force.“We are now trying that Taliban join the political process but at that time after 9/11 they were not allowed to take part in the elections.” The adviser said 35,000 Pakistani citizens and 22,000 soldiers of all ranks and seniority were martyred because of militancy in Pakistan, which had to bear financial cost of billions of dollars.He told that it was very difficult to manage the Pak-Afghan border because of the treacherous terrain.Hundreds of routes existed in FATA areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from where thousands of people daily cross borders.He opined that Pakistan and Afghanistan were ideally located, had huge economic potential and by developing cooperative relationship could have a great common future.He welcomed the Afghan leadership’s desire seeking peace through dialogue, saying Pakistan would facilitate the noble initiative as peace in Afghanistan was essential for peace in Pakistan, which had supported efforts for political reconciliation.“Pakistan will continue to support peace efforts in Afghanistan.” The adviser said Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan needed to become massive trade corridors, adding Pakistan could become an industrial hub and could connect consumer markets from Asia to Europe.

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PM chairs meeting of parliamentary leaders on FATA reforms

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday chaired a meeting of parliamentary leaders and representatives of various political parties at PM''s Chamber in the National Assembly.Matters relating to implementation of FATA reforms were discussed during the meeting.The meeting was attended by Chief (JUI-F) Moulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Leader of Opposition, Mahmood Khan Achakzai (PKMAP), Minister of Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani, Minister of State for SAFRON Ghalib Khan, Sartaj Aziz, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr.Farooq Sattar, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Nasir Khan (MNA), Sahibzada Tariq Ullah (MNA), Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Lt.Gen. (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, and Alhaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi.

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Imran Khan lacks ability to create new province: Bilawal Bhutto

Layyah: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned that PTI was try to use South Punjab province as an election ploy. “Did Imran Khan keep his previous promises? Did he end terrorism in 90 days? Did he fix the education and health systems in 90 days? Did he eradicate corruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 90 days?” Bilawal questioned, while addressing a gathering at Layyah on Friday. “Imran Khan changes his stance according to the place. In Lahore, he talks about the establishment of administrative units and when he meets politicians from South Punjab, he promises to make the new province in  100 days.”Imran Khan lacks the capacity to create a new province, he said. “Where were all these people who have joined PTI? For five years, they enjoyed power and never raise the issue in the assembly,” Bilawal said, referring to 20 PML-N’s MNAs and MPAs from South Punjab who joined PTI. “Do they think people are fools? Do they think that people lack political understanding? They are using this as a ploy to win your votes,” the PPP chief said. Bilawal said that PPP had laid the foundation for South Punjab province six years ago and at that time the very same people had opposed his party.“Only PPP has the courage and ability to address major challenges such as change of name of KP and FATA reforms. And if there is any party which can make South Punjab province, it is going to be the PPP.” 

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Pakistan slams double standards in terror fight

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has voiced its dismay at the failure of UN Sanctions Committee to approve Islamabad’s request to place Jamaat-e-ul-Ahrar terrorist Umer Khalid Khurasani on terror list. “We are aware that the UN Al-Qaeda/ISIL Sanctions Committee did not approve Pakistan's proposal to list Umer Khalid Khurasani a.k.a Abdul Wali, the leader of Jamat-ul-Ahrar since it could not reach consensus due to objection by a member,” Foreign Office spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said on Friday. “As the discussions of the Sanctions Committee are confidential, we are not in a position to comment on these deliberations. The Committee has not yet formally conveyed this development to us,” he said. “However, we are deeply disappointed over the failure of the Sanctions Committee to list Wali who is a known terrorist and has the blood of hundreds of innocent Pakistanis on his hands.”He said that if the organization Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has been listed by the Sanctions Committee, its leader should also have been listed. “This action demonstrates the double standards prevailing in the international fight against terrorism and also show complete disregard of the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in this fight,” he added.Khurasani is accused of orchestrating the December 2014 terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, which left 150 people mostly children and staff members killed. According to some media reports, US has objected to Khurasani's listing on the basis of his location in Afghanistan.

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Earthquake jolts Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

ISLAMABAD: A moderate earthquake shook parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad on Friday. According to reports, the temblor was felt in Islamabad, Malakand, Chitral, Peshawra, Swabi, Malakand Agency, Kohat and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There is not report of any damage to life or property as a result of the quake. According to reports, people rushed out of their homes and  shops and other building. 

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PIA asks customers to report 5 hrs prior to departure at new Islamabad Int?l Airport

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has asked its customers to report at least five hours prior to departure time for their international flights at new Islamabad International Airport.In a statement shared on its twitter handle on Thursday, PIA said in light of the traffic congestion due to strict security checks at entry points of the new Islamabad Airport, the valued PIA customers are requested to report at least 5 hours prior to departure time for their international flights.On May 01, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated new Islamabad International Airport.The airport is slated to be one of Asia's major aviation hubs and destinations. Islamabad International Airport is designed by French company Aéroports de Paris Ingenierie and CPG Corporation of Singapore. It is built on 4,238 acres of land and consists of 4-level passenger terminal building, 2 runways, taxiways, apron, parking bays for wide-body aircraft.The airport is connected to Islamabad and Rawalpindi via the Kashmir Highway and Motorway via Thallian interchange with the link to the proposed ring road. A four-lane highway has also been constructed by NHA to cater cargo traffic. The Islamabad Metro bus project is also being expanded to connect the airport but the work is still underway on the project.It took almost 11 years to build the new Islamabad International Airport after the ground breaking in April 2007. The 4-level passenger terminal building is 190,370 square metres specifically designed to facilitate passengers and stakeholders and is completely high-tech and fully computerised with integrated systems of international standards.

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Punjab announces early summer vacations for schools

LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced summer vacations for schools. “Private and public schools will close for summer vacations from May 17,” Education Minister Rana Mashhood announced on Thursday.The schools will reopen on August 10, he said.The schedule of vacations has been changed due to the fasting month of Ramazan which is likely to begin on May 17.Sindh has already announced that summer vacations will be observed from May 14 to July 17. 

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Defence Minister says India fanning terrorism in Pakistan through Afghan soil

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has said India is fanning terrorism in Pakistan through the Afghan soil.The minister was speaking to media here Thursday.Dastgir said spreading fake news through media is also one of the strategies of India against Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.The Defence Minister went on to say New Delhi is committing ceasefire violations and targeting the innocent civilians at the Line of Control due to its vested interests. He said Pakistan Army is befittingly responding to the Indian unprovoked firing at LoC.The Defence Minister said that defence cooperation between Pakistan and China is rapidly increasing.He said said our civilians and armed forces have rendered unrivalled sacrifices in war on terror.Now we have to reaffirm our commitment that no one will be allowed to reverse the gains in countering the terrorism, he asserted.Also, Participating in the debate on the budgetary proposals for the next fiscal year in the National Assembly, Dastagir criticized NAB for launching the money laundering probe against Nawaz Sharif.He questioned NAB’s actions and said that it’s clear they were targeting Nawaz.Dastgir demanded a probe against NAB’s internal workings and processes of determining investigations such as this one. 

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