Page 29 - Video Gallery

People in PoK live in fear of terror, says Kashmiri leader

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 13 (ANI): A leader from Pakistan occupied Kashmir has said that the people in so-called "Azad Kashmir" or Free Kashmir have no freedom and they continue to live in fear of terror. Speaking to ANI here in Geneva, Mahmood Kashmiri, Chairman of Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA) said, "There only "Azad" or free word exists but there is no freedom". The PoK leader, who attended the 43rd Session of UN Human Rights Council said, "We have no control over there. Pakistan has sent lent officers and officials from various secret agencies. In "Azad Kashmir", an atmosphere of fear exists. In that situation, there are very few people who speak against it. Those who speak are being harassed by security agencies of Pakistan. Despite all, a large number of young people are there who oppose Pakistan's forceful occupation". Pakistan continue to occupy PoK and Gilgit Baltistan since October 1948, when Pashtun tribal militias supported by Pakistan Army attacke

India deploys warship to provide largest humanitarian aid to Madagascar

Antananarivo (Madagascar), Mar 13 (ANI): Ambassador Abhay Kumar handed over 600 tonnes of rice on behalf of the Govt of India to H.E. Tehindrazanarivelo Djacoba Liva, Foreign Minister of Madagascar today, brought by INS Shardul to deliver quick relief to the victims of Madagascar floods. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul arrived in Madagascar at Port Antsiranana on 10th March 2020 carrying 600 tons of rice for the people of Madagascar. The rice will be distributed to the people affected by cyclone Diane that hit Madagascar coast in January. Earlier, on 30th January, INS Airavat brought immediate relief material. India was the first country to respond during devastation caused by Cyclone Diane in January 2020. At a function held at the Port Antsiranana on 12th March the Foreign Minister Dr. Tehindrazanarivelo Djacoba officially received the consignment of rice from Ambassador Abhay Kumar in presence of Commander Abhishek Pathak, Commanding Officer of INS Shardul. Speaking on the occasion

WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic, death toll in Italy surpasses 800

New Delhi, Mar 12 (ANI): The world continues to witness number of growing positive cases of coronavirus across the globe. World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic with more than 1 lakh cases across the globe. Confirmed cases in India have reached 62. To control the spread of disease Indian govt suspended all existing visas till April 15. Meanwhile, Washington declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak in the city. One of the most affected countries, Italy also halted all trading activities except essential stores and pharmacies. The country that witnessed more than 800 deaths is continuously putting efforts to restrict further spread of the disease.

Tibetans hold protest outside UN to highlight deplorable human rights situation in Tibet

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 12 (ANI): The Tibetan community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein assembled here before the UN building to highlight the deplorable human rights situation in Tibet. "As the UN Human Rights Council convenes for the 43rd regular session, we call upon the UNHRC to intervene and take action against China for perpetuating systemic human rights violations against Tibetans in Tibet", said Jampa Samdho, a protester and member of Tibetan Parliament in-exile. Tibetans in Tibet are going through unfathomable sufferings under Chinese rule. 154 Tibetans have self immolated in Tibet since 2009 as a mark of peaceful protest. Tibet has been once again ranked as the second least free region in the world for the fifth consecutive year by the Freedom House in its freedom in the World 2020 report. Samdho said, "Tibetans are discriminated against in every aspect of life be it education, healthcare, employment or even issuance of passports". Tibetans cannot move freely within or bey

Activists, experts raise issues of human rights abuse in Balochistan

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 12 (ANI): Political activists, experts and European Parliamentarian shared a stage to discuss about the plight of people in Balochistan at a conference held at a tent set up at the Broken Chair square in Geneva on Wednesday. The 'Save The Baloch' campaign is launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) where the participants discuss about human rights abuse in Balochistan at a conference titled "Genocide in Balochistan: the role of international community". The Baloch political activists highlight the atrocities committed by Pakistan Army as they have launched operations in Balochistan, killing civilians and destroying their houses. Razzak Baloch, organiser USA Chapter of Baloch Human Rights Council said, "Every 10 miles there is a check post, Balochistan has become a bigger jail. People cannot move around. You cannot even question them as why you are stopping us?, why are you searching our bodies?, why are you searching our women? Why are you searching

Don't need lessons from failed state: India lambasts Pak for raking up Kashmir at UNHRC

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 11 (ANI): India on Wednesday lambasted Pakistan for peddling its narrative on Kashmir at the United Nations Human Rights Council, remarking that the country "cannot mislead the international community" on the matter while continuing to use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy against India. Exercising the right to reply at the 43rd session of the UNHRC in Geneva, Rachita Bhandari, Director, (Indo-Pacific-I), MEA, said that the Jammu and Kashmir -- which was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of India -- has begun its march to peace and prosperity despite Pakistan's repeated attempts to derail the process. Bhandari remarked that a robustly functional and vibrant democracy like India could well do without lessons from a failed State like Pakistan "whose own people have never ever enjoyed either true democracy or human rights".

Pak exposed at UNHRC for sponsoring, exporting terrorism

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 11 (ANI): An European think-tank has exposed Pakistan at UN Human Rights Council for sponsoring and exporting terrorism despite it facing strict regulations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Junaid Qureshi, Director of European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) draw the council's attention to the threat that Terrorism and its sponsorship poses to Human Rights. He said, "Recent FATF pressure on Pakistan has compelled the country's military establishment to adopt a more selective attitude towards promoting, sponsoring and exporting terrorism. Nothing new as over decades Pakistan has honed this skill into an art." Junaid, who is a Kashmiri said in his intervention, "While Hafiz Saeed's fate will most certainly change for the better when international pressure eases, it appears that the other two terrorists have miraculously managed to outrun the might of the Pakistani intelligence agencies, which all of a sudden lost complete sight of them".

Pashtun, Baloch facing worst human rights crisis, says activists at UNHRC

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 11 (ANI): Political activists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have raised the issue of worsening human rights situation in their provinces by targeting Pakistan Army during the 43rd session of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Fazal-ur Rehman Afridi, a Pashtun political activist told the Council, "In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistani Army has unleashed a reign of terror against innocent civilians with impunity." A Baloch political activist, Munir Mengal showed concern about the ongoing military operations in Balochistan. "The people of Balochistan are seen living in a Military Garrison and facing elimination on daily basis", said Munir. The Baloch political activist urged the Council to conduct independent investigations of Human Rights Violations in Balochistan.

Nepal Airlines suspends Doha flights amid coronavirus scare

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 11 (ANI): Nepal Airlines, the country's national flag carrier, has temporarily suspended flights to and from Qatar's capital city of Doha as part of a preventive measure to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. In a series of tweets, the airline said that the suspension will come into effect from Tuesday that is March 10 until further notice. The airlines will refund ticket fees to those who have already booked the tickets. The development comes a day after Qatar temporarily suspended entry of travellers from 14 countries, including Nepal and India.

Coronavirus: Dramatic jump in positive cases in Italy, death toll reaches 631

New Delhi, Mar 11 (ANI): Struggling to fight with the deadly coronavirus, Italy saw a major jump in the positive cases. 8,514 cases have been confirmed in the country. While 631 people have died with around 163 new deaths in past 24 hours, the highest toll in single day since the emergence. Currently, the nation is on a lockdown to further restrict the spread of disease. Of the positive cases, 5,038 have been hospitalised, 877 are in intensive care and 2,599 are quarantined at home. Countries like Austria and Kazakhstan have denied entry to people arriving from Italy to slow down the spread of outbreak.

China's Hubei province reports 13 new coronavirus cases, 22 deaths

New Delhi, Mar 11 (ANI): Hubei province in central China has reported 13 new confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus disease, officially known as COVID-19, all of which were in Wuhan, the provincial capital and epicentre of the outbreak, the provincial health commission said here on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the province reported 22 deaths, 19 of which were in Wuhan. The latest report brought the total confirmed cases in the hard-hit province to 67,773 and total deaths to 3,046. Wuhan had reported 49,978 confirmed cases and 2,423 deaths as of Tuesday, according to the commission. The commission also said Hubei had 198 suspected cases after 54 were ruled out while six new suspected cases were reported on Tuesday. In India, 50 positive cases of coronavirus have been registered so far.

Pakistan violating human rights in PoK, Gilgit: activists at UNHRC

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 11 (ANI): Political activists from PoK and Gilgit Baltistan have asked the UN Human Rights Council to protect their rights and save them from Pakistan's oppression. Speaking at the 43rd Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, Nasir Aziz Khan, an activist from PoK said, "We are seriously concerned about growing human rights violations taking place in so called Azad Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan, whereby peaceful political activists and members of civil society have become targets of state infrastructure". He added, "Terrorists' network and infrastructure are very much intact in these areas. Leaders of banned terrorist organizations are roaming freely. Despite FATF recommendation High-profile Pakistan Taliban leader Ehsanullah Ehsan, who acted as the group's spokesman and claimed responsibility for some of its deadliest attacks, has escaped from military custody, Pakistan's interior minister confirmed". "Designated as a terrorist at UN sanctions list Lea

Not interested in toppling Madhya Pradesh govt: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

New Delhi, Mar 10 (ANI): Senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the ongoing political crisis in Madhya Pradesh is the internal matter of the Congress party and BJP is not at all interested in toppling the government."This is Congress' internal matter and I would not like to comment on it. We had said on the first day that we are not interested in bringing down the government," said Chouhan on Madhya Pradesh political crisis.

Pakistan must dismantle terror infrastructure in PoK, says Kashmiri leader

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 10 (ANI): A leader from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) lambasted on Pakistan for using the occupied region as a launching pad for terrorists and extremists, which heavily causes civilian casualties. Speaking to ANI here in Geneva at a conference titled "Contemporary challenges in the State of Jammu and Kashmir to combating terrorism, extremism and human rights violations", exiled Kashmiri leader, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri asks Pakistan to stop funding and breeding the terrorists. "The big challenge in our region, specially in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is extremism and terrorism. So, we are trying our best to strengthen the civil society and highlighting their miseries and through world community put pressure on Pakistan that Pakistan should stop funding and supporting terrorism and the infrastructure of terrorists must be dismantled in PoK and Pakistan should stop funding them", said Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of United Kashmir People's Nati

Watch: Multiple explosions heard during Ashraf Ghani's oath taking ceremony in Kabul

Kabul (Afghanistan), Mar 09 (ANI): Multiple explosions were reported during Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's oath taking ceremony in Kabul on March 09. People in large numbers were present at the time of explosions. Ghani was sworn-in as the President of Afghanistan for the second time. More details are awaited.

Hazara minority facing persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan: Woman Activist

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 08 (ANI): A Hazara woman activist has demanded an urgent intervention by international community to protect the minority community facing persecution in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Derakhshan Qurban Ali, a human rights activist, shows concern over rising sectarian and terrorist attacks by the Taliban, ISIS and other Sunni extremist grounds on Hazara minority. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council, Derakhshan condemned the Friday's (March 06) deadly attack on Hazaras in Kabul, in which 32 people were killed and dozens injured. The commemoration ceremony attended by top political leaders of Afghanistan was held to remember Abdul Ali Mazari, a Shia leader who was killed by the Taliban in 1995. ISIS claimed responsibility of the attack, which was carried out week after a peace deal signed by the Taliban and the United States. Derakhshan said, "This is an issue that is greatly concerning not just for Hazaras, for all Afghans, fo

Baloch, Sindhi and Pashtun activists lambast Pak Army for human rights violations

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 07 (ANI): Activists from Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan have lambasted Pakistan Army for carrying out human rights violations during the 43rd session of Human Rights Council. Qambar Malik Baloch, a human rights activist from Balochistan told the Council in his intervention, "Thousands of the Baloch political activists are being illegally detained in Iranian and Pakistani prisons. The whereabouts of thousands of forcibly disappeared persons are not known. Thousands have been the victim of the kill and dump policy of the Pakistani state". Dua Naz Kalhoro, a Sindhi political activist also blamed Pakistan and its army for human rights violations on people in Sindh province. She said, "We want to draw the Council's attention to our deep concern about illegal grabbing of hundreds of thousands of acres of land of indigenous Sindhi people in Pakistan". Shahi Sadat, a Pashtun political activist told the Council, "In Pakistan, Pashtuns

Kashmiri intellectual welcomes lifting of restrictions on internet and social media in JandK

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 06 (ANI): A Kashmiri writer and director of European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) Junaid Qureshi has welcomed the step to lift a ban on social media and restoration of broadband internet service by the administration in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, "Removing of these restrictions is of course a very good step. I think these steps should continue". Restrictions were imposed in the Union Territory on August 5 last year after the Parliament moved a motion to abrogate Article 370. Qureshi also strongly criticised the recent statement by Prime Minster of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Raja Farooq Haider Khan that Kashmir was a nuclear flash-point in South Asia and the possibility of war between India and Pakistan could not be ruled out. He said, "That's war mongering, that is advocating for getting people killed. I think Prime Minister of so-called Azad Kashmir or PoK is more worried about his own position after these measures being taken in Jammu a

Nepal PM Oli undergoes successful renal transplant

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 05 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli successfully underwent his second kidney transplant surgery at a hospital on Wednesday. The 68-year-old prime minister's condition was stable and was kept under medical supervision at a post-operative ward in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. A team of doctors, led by Dr Prem Raj Gyawali, a consultant urologist and kidney transplant surgeon performed the transplant, which took five hours to complete. Oli, who is also the chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, was hospitalised on Monday. He underwent dialysis on Tuesday to remove toxins ahead of the transplant. This was Oli's second kidney transplant. The first was performed in India in 2007, after both his kidneys had failed. Oli also underwent an appendicitis surgery in November last year.

Coronavirus cases outside of China exceed 12,600: WHO

New Delhi, Mar 05 (ANI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has registered over 2,100 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) outside of China, whereas the total number of infected people has exceeded 12,600. The WHO, in its new coronavirus disease situation report, said that the number of confirmed cases outside of China had risen by 2,103 to 12,668 in 76 countries, reported Sputnik. It said the death toll outside of China had gone up by 48 to 214. In India, the number of positive cases of coronavirus has reached to 28 as of now. While Spain, Chile, Poland, Hungary, and the Faroe Islands have reported their first cases of coronavirus, the number of people infected in Iran has increased from 2,336 to 2,922, with the death toll reaching 92. A dog of an infected person in Hong Kong has tested positive for the disease, which means the virus is likely to be transmitted from humans to animals. Hence, all pets of coronavirus patients in Hong Kong will now be quarantined for two weeks, starting