Page 110 - Pakistan

Jaisalmer authority promises land allotment to displaced Hindus from Pak

Hundreds of Hindu migrants from Pakistan who were displaced from the government land in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district will soon be rehabilitated, an official has said. The migrants also ended their protest following assurances of land allotment within a week. On Tuesday authorities in Jaisalmer had demolished the encroachment of several Pakistani migrants claiming that they tried to occupy the government land. On Wednesday, the migrants opposed the anti-encroachment drive outside the district collector's office and demanded that their concerns be heard. Briefing the reporters then, Dabi said that the process for rehabilitation of the Hindu migrants from across the border will be done and soon land will be allotted to them. "We have formed a committee, which will soon identify a suitable location where Pakistani migrants can be rehabilitated. Initially we will allot the land to those who have got Indian citizenship," said Jaisalmer District Collector Tina Dabi. Dabi said that tho

Pakistan braces for more unrest amid fears of Imran Khan's arrest

Pakistan's former premier Imran Khan said the police have surrounded his house in the eastern city of Lahore to potentially arrest him again, stoking concerns of a repeat of the violent clashes

Ex-PM Imran Khan addresses nation, says it might be his last before arrest

Former Prime Minsiter and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan addressed the nation on Wednesday, saying that it might be his last before his arrest

Pakistan's Punjab govt gives Imran 24-hr deadline to handover terrorists

The interim government in Pakistan's Punjab province on Wednesday claimed that some '30 to 40' terrorists are hiding at the Lahore residence of former prime minister Imran Khan, giving him an ultimatum of 24 hours to hand them over or face stern action. The police in March had stormed the Zaman Park residence of Khan to arrest him but strong resistance of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, workers thwarted that plan. "We have received an intelligence report that some 30 to 40 terrorists who were involved in attacking the military installations, especially Lahore Corps Commander House on May 9, are hiding at Zaman Park residence of Imran Khan. We give an ultimatum of 24 hours to Khan and his party to hand them over to police or face stern action," Punjab's caretaker information minister Amir Mir said at a press conference. Mir, who is the brother of known anchor Hamid Mir, asked Khan to take this ultimatum seriously as the law enforcement agencies have reserved the right to arrest

Over 15 kg drugs dropped in Punjab by Pakistan drones recovered by BSF

More than 15 kg of suspected narcotics was recovered by the Border Security Force (BSF) after it intercepted at least two drone sorties coming into India from Pakistan along the International Border in Punjab, a senior officer said on Wednesday. The first interdiction took place just after midnight in Ramkot village of Amritsar when the troops heard the sound of a drone and subsequent dropping of payload on the ground. Troops fired in the air to down the flying machine and simultaneously rushed to the spot where they saw three people trying to pick the consignment. The troops asked them to stop and fired at them but they managed to escape leaving behind five packets containing suspected heroin, a BSF spokesperson said. The second incident took place around 1:20 am in Kakkar village of the same district when a "rogue" drone from Pakistan violated Indian airspace. The personnel fired in the air to shoot down the drone and a search of the area led to the recovery of five packets ...

Pakistan an important partner in the region, want to see it successful: US

Describing Islamabad as an important partner in the region, the White House on Tuesday said it wants to see a successful Pakistan. "We want to see Pakistan be a success. And we want to see the Pakistan government live up to the strongest aspirations of the Pakistani people," John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at the White House. "Pakistan is an important partner in the region. They are suffering from the threat of terrorism every single day. And we are mindful of the challenges that they are facing politically and economically as well. In the United States, they will continue to find a good friend," Kirby said in response to a question. At a separate news conference, State Department's Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the United States does not choose a political party or a particular candidate when it comes to Pakistan or any other country. "As it relates to Pakistan, our view is that a stro

Pak: One killed, 7 injured after police officer opens fire at girls school

At least one girl student was killed and seven injured on Tuesday after a police officer on duty at a school in Pakistan's restive northwestern province opened fire outside the institution, officials said causing panic and chaos among students and teachers. The incident took place at the school for girls in the Swat Vally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after school hours as students were getting ready to depart in their vehicles. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur, the constable, identified as Alam Khan, was arrested immediately after the attack and a first information report (FIR) was registered against him, Dawn newspaper reported. A special investigation team has been formed to make further investigation into the matter. I assure everyone that strict legal punishment will be given to the culprit, he told media persons. The sudden sound of gunshots sent shockwaves throughout the school premises, causing panic and chaos among students, teachers, and sta

Pakistan high court extends Imran Khan's bails in two cases until June 8

A Pakistan high court on Tuesday extended bails of former prime minister Imran Khan in two cases pertaining to inciting violence and sedition until June 8. A single bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) heard the pleas in cases pertaining to allegations against top officers of state institutions and the manhandling of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mohsin Ranjha by Khan's supporters.

DRDO scientist held for giving info to Pak, sent in custody till May 29

A special court in Pune on Tuesday remanded DRDO scientist Dr Pradeep Kurulkar, arrested on charges of providing confidential information to a Pakistani agent, in judicial custody till May 29. Kurulkar, a director at one of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) labs in Pune, was arrested by the Maharashtra police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on May 3. During the hearing, Kurulkar requested for some medicines, as he has a problem of high blood sugar, and home food. The court permitted that he be given medicines, but refused his request for food to be delivered from his home. The court sent Kurulkar in judicial custody for next 14 days. On Monday, the special court extended his police custody till Tuesday after the prosecution said his mobile phone needs to be analysed. The scientist was allegedly in touch with an agent of a Pakistan Intelligence Operative through WhatsApp and video calls, an ATS official said last week, adding it was a case of honeytrap. After his

Pak army refuses to exercise restraint on mobs attacking military property

The military's sharp reaction marks another escalation in an ongoing showdown between Pakistan's most powerful institution and Imran Khan, who was arrested by an anti-graft agency

Agencies men caused May 9 mayhem, PTI blamed to justify crackdown: Imran

He said miscreants were infiltrated into the PTI protesters and instigated his workers, video evidence of which he said available with the party

15 killed in clash between 2 tribes over delimitation of coal mine in Pak

At least 15 people were killed in a bloody clash over the delimitation of a coal mine in the restive northwestern region of Pakistan on Monday, police said. The incident occurred between the Sunnykhel and Zarghun Khel tribes in the Darra Adam Khek area, around 35 km southwest of Peshawar, in Kohat district over the delimitation of the mine, they added. The bodies and those injured were shifted to a Peshawar hospital. The exact number of injured people was not immediately known, but there were casualties on both sides in the exchange of fire, police said. Joint teams of police and other security forces rushed to the site and halted the firing between the rival tribes. An FIR in connection with the incident has been registered at the Darra Adam Khel police station. The dispute between the Sunnykhel and Zarghun Khel tribes over the delimitation of the coal mine has been continuing for the last couple of years and many reconciliation "jirgas" have been held in a bid to end the deadloc

Pakistan's Lower House unanimously adopts motion against chief justice

The motion - moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Sobia - was unanimously adopted by the house, the Express Tribune newspaper reported

Pakistan top military brass hints at Imran Khan's trial under Army Act

The ISPR stated that the commanders also communicated the anguish and sentiments of the rank and file of the army on these unfortunate and unacceptable incidents

Pakistan's destiny

Civilian-military conflict never ends well

Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan renews calls for peaceful protests

The former Prime Minister condemned the arrests of PTI workers and protesters in the aftermath of his arrest and subsequent rioting last week

Court to hear Imran Khan's bail plea on Tue; grants bail to his wife

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday appeared before the Lahore High Court, which fixed his bail hearing on Tuesday in the terrorism cases registered against him following his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case that sparked violent protests by his supporters. Khan was accompanied by his wife Bushra Bibi, who was granted pre-arrest bail till May 23 by the high court in the Al-Qadir Trust case. "The LHC granted pre-arrest bail to Bushra Bibi till May 23 in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The court, however, fixed Khan's bail plea for Tuesday in the terrorism cases registered against him after May 9 violence. The LHC Registrar's Office has raised an objection for not attaching the arrested copies of Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court orders," a court official told PTI. Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid had fixed May 16 for the hearing of Khan's plea after his counsel assured provision of the court's orders. The former first lady appeared before the LHC for the first

Pakistan SC urges govt, opposition to hold talks on holding elections

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday urged the federal government and the opposition to resume dialogue for restoring peace in the country as the apex court adjourned for one week the hearing on the election commission's plea on the impasse over holding elections in Punjab province. The apex court had previously ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in the politically crucial province on May 14. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, heard the matter on Monday as the May 14 deadline for holding the polls expired on Sunday. The chief justice noted that the election commission's stance was that it would conduct elections if given the resources. He continued that the ECP had now opened the Pandora's Box. Justice Bandial maintained that he had asked the government and the opposition to find high moral standards. Further hearing of the case was adjourned till next week, the Exp

Ex-Pak PM Imran reaches HC to seek bail in cases related to violence

Amidst tight security, Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday reached the Lahore High Court to seek bail in the cases registered against him for torching the house of the Corps Commander here and other incidents of violence erupted after his arrest last week. He was accompanied by his wife Bushra Bibi. Khan returned to his Lahore home on Saturday after having locked himself in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises for hours for fear of re-arrest despite being granted bail on Friday. The IHC had granted 70-year-old Khan bail, barring the authorities from arresting him in all the cases registered beyond May 9 and asked him to approach the Lahore High Court for further relief on May 15. In the Al Qadir Trust case, in which National Accountability Bureau arrested the former cricketer-turned-politician on May 9, the IHC granted him pre-arrest bail for two weeks. The Supreme Court had declared Khan's arrest from the IHC premises illegal and referred the matter to the ...

Pakistan: Protests caused damage worth PKR 250 million in Islamabad

The violent protests and arson that broke out all across Pak following arrest of former prime minister Imran posed damage of as much as PKR 250 mn to both private and public property, reported Dawn