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Hafiz Mohammad Saeed says Sharif should not be hasty about India visit

Karachi, May 25 (ANI): Pakistan's Jamaat-ud-Dawah Chief, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not to be too hasty in accepting the invitation to attend the inauguration of Indian Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi. Modi's BJP has long advocated a tough stance on Pakistan, a view reflected in his election campaign that produced a parliamentary majority. Sharif has accepted Modi's invitation to attend his swearing-in ceremony as India's next PM.

Student in Coimbatore invents foot mouse for differently-abled people

Coimbatore, May 24 (ANI): An engineering student in Coimbatore has invented a device called foot mouse to help physically disabled people use computers. Lakshmi Devi has invented the device by which differently-abled persons, specifically those with arm or hand disorders, can use their feet to operate computers without the help of a third person. The foot mouse is low-cost and it would help the differently-abled people get a new lease of life by giving them opportunities to explore in education and jobs online. This new invention would also help the differently-abled to indulge in social media activities.

MEA on Indian consulate attack in Afghanistan

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): The Indian consulate in the Afghanistan's Herat was attacked on Friday by three gunmen who tried to enter the building and later fired from the neighbouring buildings. MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin informed that all Indians are safe.

Nawaz Sharif to decide on India's invitation later today: Pak Foreign Ministry

Islamabad, May 22 (ANI): Continuing speculations on whether Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi as India's next prime minister or not, country's foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that the decision will come later on Thursday itself. She said that on appointment of new Indian government, the nation has lot of expectations which could foster the peaceful relations between the two neighbours. Pakistan also hoped for an uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue between the two countries.

Ordinary Pakistanis want Sharif to accept Modi's invitation

Pakistan, May 22 (ANI): A large number of Pakistanis were pleasantly surprised by the fact that Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was on the guest list of leaders from the eight-member SAARC invited to attend the swearing in of Narendra Modi on May 26. Narendra Modi has invited the leaders of Pakistan and other neighbours to his inauguration as prime minister in a bold step to embark on a policy of regional engagement. It was not immediately clear if Sharif would accept, but analysts said the visit would be politically difficult. In the markets of capital Islamabad, however, many people said Sharif ought to attend the ceremony despite Modi's anti-Pakistan stance. If Sharif were to attend the planned ceremony in the forecourt of the presidential mansion, it would be a first in the history of both nations.

Bangladesh economist highlights challenges before 'middle-income vision'

Dhaka, May 21 (ANI): Bangladesh's senior economist Ashikur Rahman highlighted major challenges before the middle-income vision, which the government aims to achieve by 2021, as political strikes have resulted in staggering losses to the country's economy. Rahman said that there was a need to overcome challenges related to energy security and diversification of export base to achieve the goal of middle-income status. Unrest eased after the polls, which were boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and shunned by international observers. But the respite could be short-lived as the opposition has said it will launch a fresh movement to try and topple the government. Expressing his concern over chronic poverty in the country, Rahman said the government should focus on promoting a better healthcare sector and better education to achieve inclusive growth.

Bangladesh academician hopes for middle-income status by 2021

Dhaka, May 19 (ANI): Pinning hope on economic revival, Bangladesh academician Bazlul H. Khondker said on Monday that the country will achieve middle-income status by 2021, even as he expressed concerns over trade concessions. Professor of Economics at Dhaka University, Khondker, said that they were concerned about losing trade concessions rather than low cost lending or investment.

Deepening crisis in Sindh

Karachi / London, May 19: Economically affluent, but the most unstable and insecure province in Pakistan - Sindh continues to be on fire with no end to targeted killings, extortion and other crimes. Karachi, the capital of Sindh, is badly affected, and the crime graph is reaching a new high. From January to May this year, 760 people reportedly died in targeted killings. The Jihadi intolerance against minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Ahmedies and Muhajirs is growing. The minorities face problems like forced conversions and kidnappings, while the law enforcement agencies pose as mere spectators.

Nawaz Sharif invites Narendra Modi to visit Pakistan

Lahore, May 17 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif telephoned Narendra Modi whose party BJP has swept India's general elections. The media coordinator for Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) party, Tariq Azeem said that Sharif had congratulated Modi and had invited him to visit Pakistan. There have been concerns in Pakistan over Modi's victory because of his hard-line stance towards the nation, especially during his election campaign. Azeem said Pakistan was hoping Modi would change his attitude towards the country after he took over office. Many Pakistanis also believe that Modi is extremely anti-Pakistan.

Indians in New York City react to Narendra Modi's win

New York, May 17 (ANI): Residents in New York City welcomed the news of India's next Prime Minister, Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi's landslide, the most resounding election victory India has seen in 30 years, was welcomed with a blistering rally on India's stock markets and spirited celebrations in New York, where supporters danced to a drum beat, wore Modi masks, and handed out sweets. The BJP looked certain of a parliamentary majority, giving the 63-year-old former tea-seller ample room to advance reforms started 23 years ago by current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but which stalled in recent years.

Bangladeshi migrants should have no voting rights: Ex- BSF DG

New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Former Director General of India's paramilitary Border Security Force, Prakash Singh, said that illegal migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh should not be granted voting rights in India. Singh was speaking during the launch of book 'Bangladesh Migrants - A Threat to India' in New Delhi, which has been penned by former Additional Director General of BSF, PK Mishra.

At least 200 dead, several injured after coal mine explosion in Turkey

Turkey, May 14 (ANI): A fire caused by a transformer explosion at a coal mine in Western Turkey early Wednesday has left at least 200 workers dead and scores injured. Energy Ministry Taner Yildiz said 787 people had been inside the mine at Soma in Manisa province when an electrical fault triggered the blast. Rescuers worked through the night to try to reach hundreds more miners still trapped underground. Almost 363 of those trapped had been rescued. Rescue workers pumped oxygen into the mine to keep those trapped by the blaze alive, as thousands of family members and fellow workers, clamoring for information, gathered outside the town's hospital.

Petition filed in Pakistani court to prove Bhagat Singh's innocence

Lahore, May 13 (ANI): More than eight decades after Bhagat Singh, one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian Independence, was executed for the murder of a British police officer, Pakistani police have found the original FIR (First Information Report) of the case registered in December 1928. Following a court order, the Lahore police have carried out an extensive search through the records of the Anarkali police station where the case was registered, and have finally managed to find the FIR of the murder of SSP John P Saunders. Abdul Rashid Qureshi, Head of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation (BSMF), said that the BSMF had filed a petition seeking an attested copy of the FIR registered against Singh and two others for allegedly killing Saunders. The court supplied a copy of the FIR to the Foundation. In what is being seen as a major boost to the cause of those who are trying to prove the innocence of the legendary freedom fighter, Singh's name is not mentioned in the FI

Upping the ante against Pakistan

Gilgit Baltistan, May 13: After Gilgit and Skardu, locals of Diamer have also upped the ante against Islamabad. Despite stiff resistance, Pakistan is building controversial Diamer Bhasha dam, no compensation has been paid to the locals who are displaced. On top of it rather than reconciling, Pakistan is trying to use a heavy hand to quell the seething anger in Gilgit Baltistan.

Pakistan becoming a more dangerous country, says HRCP report

Islamabad, May 12: "The state of Human Rights in 2013", a 350-page report released in Islamabad by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reveals that the situation is worsening in Pakistan. The report states that Pakistan has become a 'more and more' dangerous country for religious minorities and journalists and has failed to tackle militant extremism and intolerance. In the section on freedom of religion, the report notes that sectarian violence claimed a total of 687 lives in 2013. Seven Ahmadis were killed in pre-mediated attacks, Christian settlements and churches were targeted and a total of 39 people, including Christians, Hindus and Muslims were charged with blasphemy in the entire year. The press grew increasingly unsafe and the report notes, 11 journalists were killed and scores more injured in the line of duty. In addition, those responsible for these heinous crimes remained at large.

Bangladesh Academician expresses concern over slow economic growth

Dhaka, May 09 (ANI): Professor and Chairman of Department of Economics in Dhaka University, MA Taslim expressed concern over slow growth rate and said that the slow down started long before the political unrest and infact the economy has been on a slowdown or a declining growth path since 2011-12. Unrest eased after the polls, but the respite could be short-lived as the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said it will launch a fresh movement to try and topple the government. Professor Taslim added that the country has seen a very serious slowdown in employment overseas.

Pakistan to plan 'comprehensive plan' against Polio

Islamabad/ Lahore, May 08 (ANI): Pakistan scrambled to put in place measures to help stop its polio outbreak from spreading, after a World Health Organisation (WHO) warning that the disease had become endemic in three countries, including Pakistan. On Monday (May 05), WHO declared the spread of polio an international public health emergency and recommended that the governments of Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon require citizens to obtain a certificate proving they have been vaccinated for polio before travelling abroad. Speaking to reporters after a flurry of meetings between health officials from across the country, Minister of State for Health, Saira Afzal Tarar, said the restrictions were a great setback for the crisis-ridden country, but the government would tackle the situation on a war footing.

Bangladeshi academician expresses concern over sluggish economic growth

Dhaka, May 6 (ANI): Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and professor of business school, BRAC University, Salehuddin Ahmed, on Tuesday expressed concern over slow growth rate and said growth should be oriented towards productive and employment generating activities, which will benefit people. Ahmed while addressing a reporter in Dhaka said the efforts to increase the growth rate should also aim at overall development of the society. Ahmed urged the government to emphasise on balanced growth and on the areas which were usually neglected. Stressing on investment in Bangladesh, Ahmed said the key sectors of the country are struggling due to poor investment.

Children of PoK stand up against Indifferent Islamabad

Muzaffarabad, POK, May 6: Children and teens of Pakistan Occupied have joined the nationalists in their agitation against Islamabad. They have been venting their anger against the repressive regime of Pakistan, that is neglecting the humanitarian issues and depriving people from getting good health, education, electricity and infrastructure. Their frustration level is on the rise.

More than 2,100 confirmed dead in Afghanistan landslide

Afghanistan, May 3 (ANI): Afghan officials gave up hope on Saturday of finding any survivors from a landslide in the remote north-east Afghan province of Badakhshan, putting the death toll at more than 2,100. Villagers and police, equipped with only the basic digging tools, resumed their search when daylight broke but it soon became clear there was no hope of finding survivors buried in up to 100 metres of mud.