Sunday 30 April 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Around 20 jihadists killed or captured in Mali's north

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PARIS (AFP) - French soldiers killed or captured about 20 jihadists in Malis restive north where a French soldier was killed on April 5, the French chief of staff said Sunday.Troops from Operation Barkhane, a French counterterror operation whose mission is to target jihadist groups operating in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert, launched the operation on Saturday south-west of the city of Gao.Since Saturday, the Barkhane force has been engaged in an operation which led to the neutralisation of nearly 20 jihadists in the forest of Foulsare near the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, a statement said.They were either killed or captured, spokesman Colonel Patrik Steiger told AFP without giving a breakdown.French Mirage fighter jets bombed several arms depots in the forest, a sanctuary for armed terrorist groups.Set up in 2014, the operation comprises around 4,000 soldiers who are deployed across five countries -- Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. In Niger, it operates four Mirage 2000 fighter jets and five Reaper drones for gathering intelligence.Malis north fell under the control of jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda in 2012 who hijacked an ethnic Tuareg-led rebel uprising, though the Islamists were largely ousted by a French-led military operation in January 2013.But jihadists continue to roam the countrys north and centre, mounting attacks on civilians and the army, as well as French and UN forces still stationed there.

Jhang: Poisonous liquor claims three lives

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JHANG (Dunya News) – At least three people died after drinking poisonous liquor in Pindi Muhala area of Jhang on Sunday, Dunya News reported.According to details, four friends consumed poisonous liquor after which their condition deteriorated. They were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Jhang where three of them died while the condition of fourth is stated to be critical.The deceased were identified as Azam, Arshad and Shabir and were residents of Jhang. The fourth victim named Riaz, who is fighting for his life, is from Faisalabad and came to Jhang to meet his sister.

Blaze at multi-storey building in Karachi extinguished

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - A fire broke out again at the 16th floor of a multi-storey building at I.I Chundrigar Road in Karachi on Sunday night, Dunya News reported.Two vehicles of fire brigade reached the spot and brought the fire under control after a hectic effort of one hour. No loss of life was reported in the incident.It is pertinent to mention here that a massive fire at the 15th floor of the same building on Saturday morning had badly damaged various offices located in the building.

Faisalabad: Two dacoits killed in alleged police encounter

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FAISALABAD (Dunya News) – According to details, police were taking two under-custody dacoits for recovery of weapons when their accomplices opened fire at the police van to get them free from police custody.Police in retaliation also opened fire and in exchange of fire two under-custody dacoits Shahid and Shabbir were killed by their own accomplices.Police sources said that the killed dacoits were involved in several cases of murders and robberies. Sources further said that the unidentified attackers managed to escape from the scene.

Labour Day being observed today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Like other parts of the globe, International Labour Day is being observed across the country including the provincial metropolis today (Monday) to renew pledge for protecting rights of workers.All government and private organisations, educational institutions and markets will remain closed to observe Labour Day.Different political and labour organizations‚ particularly the labour wings of political parties and professional bodies will organize programmes to highlight significance of the day and rights of the workers.Seminars and rallies will be held in different cities to pay tribute to those who laid down their lives in Chicago in 1886 for the rights of the labourers.

People of Karachi fed up from loadshedding: Siraj

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) sit in against K-Electric’s loadshedding and overbilling outside Governor House in Karachi entered the third day.Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami, Sirajul Haq, while addressing the protesters on Sunday said that JI’s Karachi sit in is representing the oppressed masses. He said the people of Karachi are suffering from severe loadshedding and termed it a ‘gift’ from the government for the victims.Sirajul Haq, severely criticized the government and said that the unannounced and prolonged hours of power cuts are making it difficult for the people of Karachi to manage their daily livesHe said that JI’s campaign against K-Electric is for the people of Karachi. The JI chief said that K-Electric has become a dragon after drinking blood of the poor masses.Sirajul Haq said that JI sit in against K-Electric will continue until their demands are fulfilled.

May Almighty guide Imran to righteousness: Marriyum

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb while responding to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s speech during public rally in Karachi on Sunday said that PTI chief’s mental condition is critical and she can only pray for him.Commenting on Imran’s statement about strengthening national institutions, she wondered how one could expect such rhetoric from a person who had continuously ridiculed the same institutions.Marriyum Aurangzeb said that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are themselves fighting for their rights. Expressing pity over Imran’s mental condition, she prayed that Almighty might guide him to righteousness.

Ton-up Chase, Holder give West Indies edge

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BRIDGETOWN (AFP) - Roston Chases second Test hundred and fine support from captain Jason Holder in a record unbroken partnership lifted the West Indies to 286 for six at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan at Kensington Oval in on Sunday.Called upon to repair yet another debacle at the top of the order after Holder chose to bat first, Chases unbeaten 131 was characterised by calm assurance and elegant strokeplay after he came to the crease at 37 for three.Even if he lived a bit dangerously, the skipper also played positively and will resume on the second day alongside Chase on 58, their partnership so far worth 132 runs and establishing a new record for the seventh wicket in Tests for the West Indies against Pakistan.Chase has so far faced 207 deliveries in five hours at the crease, stroking 17 fours while Holders innings has occupied 125 deliveries over three-and-a-half hours with eight fours decorating his knock.On a surface offering very little assistance to the faster bowlers, the Caribbean team still managed to slip to 154 for six in mid-afternoon and at that stage it looked as if the tourists would have been well into their reply by the end of the day.Opening bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Abbas claimed a wicket apiece in each of the first two sessions while Shadab Khan, selected for a Test debut in support of senior leg-spinner Yasir Shah, earned his first success in the shape of Shane Dowrich after Shah had accounted for Shai Hope.There was very little assistance from this pitch and we will have to come back even harder on the second morning to break this partnership, said Abbas, who had figures of two for 47 off 18 overs, at the end of the day.My experience of playing a lot of first-class cricket back in Pakistan would have prepared me for days like this.Amir was the first to strike for Pakistan at the start of the day against a batting line-up surprisingly unchanged from the seven-wicket defeat in Jamaica.Kraigg Brathwaite enjoyed a moment of good fortune when he was dropped at short extra-cover off Amir.However the lapse did not prove costly for the visitors as Amir took the outside edge of the openers bat in the same over to give a straightforward catch to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.Shimron Hetmyer, one of two batting debutants from a week earlier, faced just three deliveries before driving loosely at Abbas for Azhar Ali to take a sharp catch head-high at third slip.Hopes struggle for runs continued when he was caught at the wicket off Shah, the leg-spinner extracting sharp turn off the first-day pitch and appearing to justify Pakistans decision to give a debut to Shadab at the expense of their fastest bowler, Wahab RiazKieran Powell, who batted through the morning session, departed on the resumption after lunch.An lbw appeal off Amir with the batsman on 38 was ruled not out by on-field official Richard Kettleborough only to be overturned on review of the television replays.Vishaul Singhs miserable start to his Test career continued with a low catch to Younis Khan at second slip off Abbas and Younis secure pair of hands were again in evidence when Dowrich, on 29, pushed at a full length delivery from Shadab and the veteran made no mistake.

Sri Lanka hire Allan Donald as bowling coach

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COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka Cricket Sunday announced they had hired former South African paceman Allan Donald as temporary bowling coach ahead of the Champions Trophy in England.The 50-year-old will join as consultant fast bowling coach for two months in the run-up to the tournament starting on June 1, the Sri Lankan board said.Donald will join the team in their residential training at the Pallekele International Stadium where they will be undergoing a high-intensity training and conditioning programme from May 9-16, it said.The South African, who is due to take up a coaching assignment with English county Kent next year, is due in Colombo on Monday.Kent said Donald would join them in 2018 because of delays in obtaining a work permit.Last week Sri Lanka named a 15-member squad led by Angelo Mathews for the Champions Trophy.Sri Lanka Cricket said it hoped Donald would also train Sri Lankan pace bowling coaches Chaminda Vaas, Champaka Ramanayake, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Nuwan Zoysa.Donald was one of Test crickets top fast bowlers between 1992 and 2002, taking 330 wickets in 72 Tests at an average of 22.25.

Chase races to West Indies rescue against Pakistan

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BRIDGETOWN (AFP) - Roston Chase saved the West Indies from complete collapse with an unbeaten 70 as the home side reached 166 for six at tea on the opening day of the second Test at Kensington Oval on Sunday.Despite a surface offering very little assistance to the faster bowlers, the Caribbean team lost another three wickets in an afternoon session that produced 94 runs off 27 overs.Opening bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Abbas added to their new ball successes from the mornings play while debutant Shadab Khan claimed an important first Test victim when he had Shane Dowrich caught at slip for 29 just before the interval to break a promising 47-run sixth-wicket partnership with Chase.Playing his first Test match in his native Barbados, Chases attractive innings has so far occupied 110 deliveries, a span at the crease highlighted by 11 fours.He resumes in the final session of the day alongside compatriot and captain Jason Holder, who will need to provide substantial resistance with the rest of the lower order to justify his decision to bat first on winning the toss.Kieran Powell, who batted through the morning session, was first to fall on the resumption after lunch.An lbw appeal off Amir with the batsman on 38 was ruled not out by on-field official Richard Kettleborough only to be overturned on review of the television replays.Vishaul Singhs miserable start to his Test career continued with a low catch to Younis Khan at second slip off Abbas and Younis secure pair of hands were again in evidence when Dowrich pushed at a full length delivery from Shadab and the veteran made no mistake.Amir was the first to strike for Pakistan at the start of the day against a batting line-up surprisingly unchanged from the seven-wicket defeat in Jamaica.Kraigg Brathwaite enjoyed a moment of good fortune when he was dropped at short extra-cover off Amir.However the lapse did not prove costly for the visitors as Amir took the outside edge of the openers bat in the same over to give a straightforward catch to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.Shimron Hetmyer, one of two batting debutants from a week earlier, faced just three deliveries before driving loosely at Abbas for Azhar Ali to take a sharp catch head-high at third slip.Shai Hopes struggle for runs continued when he was caught at the wicket off Yasir Shah, the leg-spinner extracting sharp turn off the first-day pitch and appearing to justify Pakistans decision to give a debut to Shadab as a second wrist-spinner in their bowling armoury at the expense of their fastest bowler, Wahab Riaz.

Cahill joy as Chelsea pass 'huge' title test

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LIVERPOOL: (AFP) - Gary Cahill says Chelsea have cleared a major hurdle in the Premier League title race after the leaders romped to a 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday.Antonio Contes side clinched a fourth win in their last five league games thanks to a brilliant second-half strike from Pedro and late goals from Cahill and Willian.The Blues need nine points from their last four games to ensure they hold off Tottenham and are crowned English champions, although less will do it if Tottenham stumble.With those fixtures coming against Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, Watford and already relegated Sunderland, Cahill admitted his team had circled their trip to Goodison Park as one of the last significant tests in the title fight.You can see from the celebrations, this was like a cup final for us. It was one of our hardest games with the form Everton have been in at home. To win 3-0 is fantastic, Cahill said.It was convincing but we had to work hard for it. Pedros goal was special, at times you need a bit of class to open up a team, thats what he did today.Im buzzing with that, its a huge result for us.After recent defeats against Manchester United and Crystal Palace had critics questioning whether Chelsea might crack in the closing weeks, England defender Cahill insisted all the pressure is on Tottenham now.We have been saying we expect Spurs to win every game and its down to us because winning the title is in our hands, he said.Its got be disheartening for them to have won eight or nine games on the spin, and to keep having to do it.They are pushing us to the end but we can put our feet up now.

Sigurdsson dents United Champions League ambition

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LONDON: (AFP) - A sublime free-kick by Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson gained Premier League strugglers Swansea a deserved point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, dealing a blow to the latters Champions League hopes.Sigurdssons 10th goal of the season but first in 11 matches cancelled out veteran Wayne Rooneys contentious penalty in time added on in the first-half when Marcus Rashford made the most out of minimal contact with Swans goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.The point saw United move level on points with city rivals Manchester City but remained fifth, a place outside the automatic spots for the Champions League, because of a poorer goal difference.It will be of little consolation to manager Jose Mourinho that it extended their unbeaten run to 25 and have not been defeated at Old Trafford since September 10th last year.City could open up a three point gap later on Sunday as they take on second from bottom Middlesbrough whilst Arsenal too could gain ground on United if they beat title-chasing Tottenham.Spurs, though, will be aiming to keep the pressure on table-toppers Chelsea, who have a tricky match at Everton, who are on a streak of eight successive home wins.Mourinho saw two more defenders depart injured in the impressive Eric Bailly on the hour mark and Luke Shaw, whom the Portuguese has harangued all season, in just the eighth minute.We lost players and we lost points, so yes today was a bad day, Mourinho told the BBC.We did not look tired and exhausted, we are tired and exhausted. You cannot isolate the performance out of the context. This is the ninth match of April, it is not human.We have a squad of 22 that is reduced to 13 or 14 players. The players are very tired.I am more than happy with the players, they gave everything they could. I have zero criticism.I dont know about the injuries. I think Luke Shaws must be a big injury, because to leave the pitch after 10 minutes I am expecting a very big injury.At the moment, we cannot walk from the bed to the loo and break a leg.His Swansea counterpart Paul Clement said Rashford had deceived the referee but added the point enforced their belief they could retain their elite status -- they are two points adrift of fourth from bottom Hull with three matches remaining.That is arguably a clean sheet today and we go into the next game against Everton fully believing that we can stay in this league for next season, said Clement.

Turkey willing to be involved in resolving Kashmir issue: Erdogan

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LAHORE: (Web Desk) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has on Sunday expressed willingness to be involved in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. He also called for an end to the casualties in the Valley and said that his country could help Pakistan and India find a solution to Kashmir issue.“We should not allow more casualties to occur and by strengthening multilateral dialogue, we can be involved, and through multilateral dialogue, I think we have to seek out ways to settle this question once and for all, which will benefit both countries”, said Erdogan while talking to World Is One News (WOIN).Erdogan said in the interview that India and Pakistan should begin a ‘multilateral’ dialogue in order to resolve the Kashmir issue. The Turkish president also said that India and Pakistan both had the right to aspire Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).Turkish President’s statements are exactly in accordance with the joint statement issued during his Pakistan visit in November last, when he had expressed undeterred support for the solution of the Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions.It is pertinent to mention here that the interview has come hours after the Indian government expressed solid support for Cyprus. Turkish President is going to hold talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi on May 1 on his India visit. The Indian media hasn’ taken Erdogan’s statement positively and Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson has said that India believed the Kahsmir issue to be bilateral one and had avoided ‘third party intervention’ since 1972.

Teacher's murder: Qatar upholds rare death sentence

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DOHA (AFP) - A Doha court on Sunday upheld the death penalty in the retrial of a Qatari man convicted of murdering a 24-year-old British female teacher.Badr Hashim Khamis Abdallah al-Jabr was found guilty of stabbing Lauren Patterson and then burning her body in the Qatari desert in October 2013.The defendant was fully aware of the consequences of his actions, Dohas court of cassation ruled.It said that Jabr, who was not in court, should face the death penalty, the original verdict handed down in 2014.Use of capital punishment is rare in Qatar, with the last known case of the death penalty being carried out thought to date back to 2003.The judge said that any death penalty would be carried out by hanging or shooting.Laurens mother, Alison, who has regularly travelled to the Gulf for hearings, was in court on Sunday.She wept as details of the crime were read out and afterwards hugged other family members and friends who were present.Earlier this month, she said before the same court that she did not want to forgive Jabr, although she had told AFP she did not believe in the death penalty.Jabr had previously been convicted of the murder and sentenced to death, but that ruling was quashed, prompting Sundays retrial.In a lengthy verdict read out in court on Sunday, the judge dismissed all aspects of Jabrs defence.The defence argued at various times that he had acted in self-defence, was mentally incapable at the time of the murder, was interrogated by police without a lawyer and that the young teacher had committed suicide.But the judge said several consequential strands of evidence pointed to Jabrs guilt.He recounted how the Qatari and the British teacher had met at a central Doha hotel.They then left the hotel and went back to a property owned by Jabr, where they had sex, said the judge.Previous court evidence had heard the schoolteacher had been sexually assaulted.It was afterwards that Jabr attacked Patterson, a teacher in Qatar from Kent in southeast England, stabbing her with a knife which had a 20-centimetre (almost eight-inch) blade, the court heard.Her body was then taken to the desert and burned on charcoal bricks.Pattersons remains were discovered several hours later by members of a local tribe, alerted by the smell of the burning, the court was told.Jabrs accomplice Mohamed Abdallah Hassan Abdul Aziz, who helped to burn the body, was previously sentenced to three years in jail.The Britons murder was one of two high-profile cases involving Western teachers in Qatar in recent years.In 2012, Jennifer Brown, a newly-arrived US teacher from Pennsylvania, was murdered by a Kenyan security guard, Alvine Moseti Anyona, who is now serving life in prison.

Rafael Nadal wins tenth Barcelona Open

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Rafael Nadal hailed a dream start to his clay court season after romping to his 10th Barcelona Open on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Austrias Dominic.The Spaniard also claimed his 10th title at the Monte Carlo Masters last week as he gears up for to go for his 10th French Open next month.It is two consecutive weeks winning, in Monte Carlo and here, two special tournaments for me, it is a dream start on clay, said Nadal.It means a lot for me to reach number 10 here in Barcelona, in front of the people of my club, I am very happy and emotional.Nadal won in Barcelona between 2005-2009, 2011-13 and now in the last two years.The 14-time Grand Slam champion also looks like the man to beat at Roland Garros after winning on a Barcelona court named after him and where he didnt drop a set all week.I thank the club and its members for putting my name on this court. It means a lot to me, added Nadal.Nadal has now won 19 straight sets, but Thiem was the toughest opponent he has faced on clay so far this year.Thiem had shocked world number one Andy Murray in Saturdays semi-finals and showed some early resistance.The world number nine even had his only break point of the match in the first game.But Nadal, returning to top form at age 30, upped his intensity at the crucial moment and Thiem crumbled with three errors in the 10th game to give away the only break of the set.The first set was vitally important, added Nadal.It was hard. I was having a few more chances than him but it was very even and that is why I celebrated with so much energy at the end.The second set was a procession as Thiems frustration at his inability to break through Nadals defences saw him consistently fire long.Thiem held off three break points in his opening service game, but was powerless to stop Nadal thereafter as he won the last five games to seal victory in just over 90 minutes on court.However, Thiem wasnt too disheartened after losing out to the king of clay after what had been a productive week.I really enjoyed the week in Barcelona, he said.There are worse things than to lose against the greatest player on clay ever.
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Saturday 29 April 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Accusation of bias: PCB summons Khalid Latif again

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LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has on Saturday rejected the suspended cricketer Khalid Latif’s accusation of bias on anti-corruption unit and has summoned the suspended cricketer again on May 2, reported Dunya News.According to details, PCB rejected Khalid Latif’s accusations of bias against anti-corruption unit and summoned the batsman, suspended over spot-fixing allegations, on May 2 again.PCB maintained that Khalid Latif was bound to appear before the anti-corruption unit and non-cooperation charges would also be initiated against him in case he didn’t comply. The board also maintained that Khalid Latif has been provided with all the proofs of fixing.Earlier, Khalid Latif had accused the anti-corruption unit of bias and hadn’t appeared before the unit on April 26 despite orders.

Malaysian girls showcase cosplay with hijab

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KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Muslim women dressed as superheroes, princesses, and mighty sword-wielding warriors took part in a hijab cosplay event in Malaysia Saturday, where the role-playing craze continues to grow.Around 20 women showcased their love for anime with elaborate make-up and costumes while still wearing their traditional hijab -- the headscarf worn by many Muslim women in Malaysia -- at the event at a mall on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.Many participants took photos with each other, mingled and networked, sharing costume and make-up tips.Nur Azlina, a 21-year-old university student, decked out in a Power Ranger outfit, said a hijab did not hinder her cosplay skills and that there had been a lot of positive reaction.Some people are sometimes surprised when they see my hijab... but it doesnt bother me. My friends and my family support me and I also get invited to birthday parties to attend with my costume, she said.I love cosplay and I get to make new friends here and also in the international cosplay community.Raja Muhammad Rusydi, a 20-year-old male cosplay enthusiast who also took part in Saturdays showcase said he hoped such events will generate more interest among hijab-wearing women to take part in cosplay activities.I support them. If they love the character and have the passion, they should do it.In cosplay, short for costume role-play, enthusiasts gather to imitate characters from anime series, comics and video games, many drawn from Japanese pop culture.The cosplay fad has swept much of the world and has been popular for over two decades in Malaysia.But hijab cosplay has only become popular in the last few years in the Southeast Asian nation and has generated much buzz among those in the cosplay scene.

Kabul: Hekmatyar urges Taliban to lay down arms, join peace caravan

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KABUL: (Dunya News) – Former Prime Minister of Afghanistan Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has on Saturday urged Taliban to lay down arms and join the peace caravan as the Hizb-e-Islami founder returned to public life after an exile of over 20 years, reported Dunya News.The international restrictions on Hekmatyar had been removed after a peace deal between his Hizb-e-Islami and the Afghan government.In his first address after the return, Hekmatyar told the Taliban to give up on their ‘filthy’ war and join the peace caravan.Hekmatyar was a strong member of the Mujahideen forces against the Russians in the 80s and also remained Afghanistan’s prime minister for two brief periods. However, he didn’t rule Afghanistan sitting in Kabul.

PM ordered action under Para 18, one document not enough to explain: Dar

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ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has on Saturday explained that Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has ordered action under Para 18 and could not be understood by reading only one document, reported Dunya News.Talking to the journalists, Ishaq Dar said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar had already explained the Dawn Leaks. He added that the notification had been issued by PM for implementation on the approved recommendations.Earlier, Dar was addressing a seminar of South Asian Federation of Accounts (FASA), where he said that the government inherited a poor economy and the growth rate of the previous years was just 3% back then. He claimed that Pakistan will achieve 5% growth by the end of the current year.Ishaq Dar said that the global financial institutions trusted Pakistan’s statistics and according to them, Pakistan’s growth was 6%.

Imran Khan 'Pappu', Jahangir Tareen 'Kakku': Abid Sher Ali

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LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Federal Minister of State for Water and Power Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali has on Saturday started calling the political opponents with strange names as he named Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan as ‘Pappu’ and PTI leader Jahangir Tareen as ‘Kakku’, reported Dunya News.Abid Sher Ali also called Awami Muslim League (AML) leader ‘Almas Bobby’ and then declared the PTI supporters attending yesterday’s public meeting as ‘lollipops’.Lashing out at Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Abid Sher Ali said that the former president was convicted from Swiss courts. He added that former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf had also tried to do Sharif family’s accountability and the current lot has also tried the courts but nothing came out of any of the attempts.

Load shedding: Shortfall dropped to 2867 MW, says spokesperson

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ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) –Ministry of Water and Power spokesperson has on Saturday claimed that the load shedding has been reduced significantly in the country as the shortfall dropped to just 2867 mega watts, reported Dunya News.The spokesperson told that the current requirement in the country is 16,103 mega watts while the total production is 13,236 mega watts. He said that there was no unannounced load shedding in the country anymore.He added that 3924 MW of power was being produced with water, 2257 from GenCos and 7037 MW from IPPs.

China deports US woman convicted of 'spying'

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SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - An American woman convicted of espionage this week has been deported by China, a human rights group that campaigned for her release said Saturday, removing a source of tensions between Washington and Beijing.Sandy Phan-Gillis was detained in March 2015 at the Macau border after visiting mainland China with a trade delegation from the Texas oil capital Houston.She was accused of espionage, stealing state secrets and allegedly passing on intelligence to a third party. She was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and deportation on Wednesday.On Friday, Phan-Gillis was deported. She arrived in Los Angeles the same day. She was met upon arrival by her husband and members of her family, the Dui Hua group said in a statement.Her return to the US comes three weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping met US President Donald Trump in Florida, amid a warming of ties between the two countries.Since their first face-to-face meeting in Florida earlier this month, the two presidents have been in constant touch with each other, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Friday.Dui Hua said negotiations to secure the release of Phan-Gillis were stepped up during US Secretary of State Rex Tillersons visit to Beijing in March 2017.Tillersons State Department was assisted by the White House in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion.The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention last year denounced Chinas handling of the case, saying it had not observed international norms relating to the right to a fair trial and to liberty and security.Violations by Chinese authorities were of such gravity as to give the deprivation of liberty of Ms Phan-Gillis an arbitrary character, it noted in a report released last July.Phan-Gillis was held for six months at a secret location and later at a detention centre in Guangxi, where she was initially put in solitary confinement, the working group said.Her husband Jeff Gillis had campaigned for her freedom, setting up a website savesandy.org which has now been taken down.According to an archive version of the site, Phan-Gillis has family origins in southern China but was born in Vietnam.She left the country in the late 1970s as part of the exodus of boat people who fled Communist rule.

Only a fool would talk of PM's political boycott: Rana Sanaullah

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LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has on Saturday said that only a fool would talk of politically boycotting Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan often remained out of senses and thus said strange things, reported Dunya News.Talking to media at Punjab Assembly, Rana Sanaullah took Imran to the task, saying that the government would move court against Imran Khan over the allegation of offering him bribe worth Rs 10 billion.“A person is elected by the people of Pakistan democratically and a ‘crazy person’ is suggesting his social boycott”, he said. The provincial minister added that Imran Khan had wasted four years of the nation, and didn’t even have proper candidates to contest the coming election.Responding to Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) request to hold public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan, Rana Sanaullah said that the permission could not be given since Section-144 was imposed in the city. He further said that PM would leave his position on May 31, 2018 after which general elections will be called in the country.

'Mashal Khan fell after being shot, came out of campus upon firing'

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MARDAN: (Dunya News) – The prime suspect in Mashal Khan murder case Imran Ali has on Saturday submitted his confessional statement in the court, reported Dunya News.According to the confessional statement’s copy received by Dunya News, Imran Ali said that Mashal Khan was his friend but he later severed ties with him.“On the day of the crime, when I reached the campus, the enraged crowd was raising slogans against Mashal and I fired at him as soon as I found the opportunity due to which he dropped injured”, he said.The suspect said that the university administration as also responsible for the situation along with Mashal. Had the university tried, it could have saved Mashal’s life, he said. He added that the administration had employed incompetent people.

Won't forgive myself if fail to fulfill constitutional duty: CJ

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LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Saturday said that he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if he failed to fulfill his constitutional duty. He said that the investigations in our criminal cases is generally flawed and when the accused is set free, the blame is shifted on to the courts, reported Dunya News.Addressing a ceremony at Punjab Judicial Academy, Justice Saqib Nisar said that it is the duty of the courts to provide the people with justice. “Unless we have complete command over civil law, how shall we be able to decide on civil cases? If we don’t do our job properly today, we’d never be able to forgive ourselves for this”, he said.Talking on the occasion, Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that the reconciliation centers and model courts have improved the system a lot. He said that criticism was always welcome but criticism should be constructive.Supreme Court’s senior most judge Mr Asif Saeed Khosa also said that the establishment of model courts was an important step in the quest to provide speedy justice.Appreciation certificates were also distributed among the judges performing their duties at model courts on this occasion.

Dawn Leaks was deliberate attempt to defame army: Imran Khan

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – PTI Chief Imran Khan said on Saturday that Dawn Leaks was an attempt by government to defame Pakistan Army.DawnLeaks was a deliberate attempt to malign Pak army & Govt must immediately make public the complete Inquiry Report— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 29, 2017 He demanded the government to immediately issue inquiry report of Dawn leaks.ISPR tweet poisonous for democracy: NisarThe PTI Chairman commented on the ongoing civil-military tensions and suggested that the Dawn Leaks inquiry report should be immediately made public.He posted a video message in which he announced to hold a public awareness walk at Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday.He requested all the residents of Karachi to take part in the Huqooq-e-Karachi March.I want all the people of Karachi to join us in our HuqooqEKarachiMarch Sunday 30th at 3pm pic.twitter.com/pHIk7qgzDG— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 29, 2017

PTI, JI, AML demand issuance of DawnLeaks report

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami Muslim League (AML) have all demanded the government to issue Dawn Leaks report.The opposition parties have rejected the government notification on Dawn Leaks while supporting Pakistan Armys position on the matter.Army rejects governments notification over Dawn leaks case: ISPRPTI spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haq demanded immediate resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as to make recommendations in Dawn Leaks report public.He said that the party was doubtful of PM’s intentions, adding that he had become a security risk for the country. “Such questions will be raised till he resigns,” he added.AML Chief Sheikh Rasheed said Dawn Leaks matter could be resolved but same would not happen in Panama Leaks. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif would be ousted if he kept on conflicting with the army.Similarly, JI Amir Siraj-ul-Haq also rejected government recommendations on Dawn Leaks. He demanded the issuance of whole truth.Govt notice on Dawn Leaks report

DawnLeaks: Rao Tehsin removed as Principle Information Officer

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – According to sources, Rao Tehsin has been removed from the position of Principle Information Officer (PIO) in Press Information Department (PID) which comes under the Ministry of Interior.Notification issued by Secretary to the PMHe was been asked to report at Establishment Division. Earlier,Tariq Fatemi was removed from the post of Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs as a result of implementing the inquiry committee’s recommendations on the issue of Dawn leaks.Action was proceeded against Rao Tehsin under the E&D Rules 1973 under the charges based on findings of the instant Dawn Leaks report by investigation committee.Dawn leaks: Tariq Fatemi removed from special advisors postEarlier, the notification was deemed incomplete by Pakistan Army, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Army rejected the notification and said that it was notnot in line with recommendations by the Inquiry Board.Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar responded to the rejection by saying that such tweets were poisonous for democracy.

PPP supports army's position of rejecting DawnLeaks notification

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday announced to support the position of Pakistan Army on Dawn Leaks probe notification.After the government removed Tariq Fatemi from his post of Special Assistant to PM Nawaz on Foreign Affairs, army rejected the notification terming it incomplete.Opposition Leader Khurshid Shah told that the matter of sensitive report was brutally diminished by removing Tariq Fatemi from his post. He said that army’s decision given in Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) notification was right.He stated, “Prime Minister had become a threat to national intergrity.”“There’s no importance of national security according to PML-N. National institutes are being made controversial for self-interests,” PPP leader Maula Baksh Chandio said while claiming that Nawaz Sharif’s politics revolved around personal interests.PPP leaders demanded immediate issuance of Dawn Leaks report as well as resignation from Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar.

ISPR tweet 'poisonous' for democracy: Nisar

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on Saturday declared ISPR tweet poisonous for democracy.After the government removed Tariq Fatemi from his post through a notification issued by Secretary to the Prime Minister over Dawn leaks case, Pakistan Army rejected the notice terming it ‘incomplete’.Notification on Dawn Leak is incomplete and not in line with recommendations by the Inquiry Board. Notification is rejected.— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) April 29, 2017 He expressed concerns over the matter by saying that there was storm in a teacup after just a notification.Nisar said that institutions don’t communicate with one another through tweets and it was ‘inappropriate for anyone to handle issues through statements on social media’.While talking about the Dawn Leaks probe, he said that no notification had been issued on the matter by Interior Ministry while assuring that it would be in accordance with the recommendations of the investigation committee.Chaudhry Nisar was addressing to a news conference in Karachi where he responded to the tweet by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “I was told to delay the conference but wanted to tell the people what I knew,” he added.VIDEO:Nisars comments on ISPR tweetHe further stated that it was unethical to issue video messages of persons under custody.While commenting on Nawaz-Jindal meeting, he told that he was not the right person for such a question. Nisar defended his party head saying, “It is not right to question Nawaz Sharif’s patriotism by a meeting with Indian businessman.”
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Friday 28 April 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Blaze gutted shoe godown in Lahore

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - According to details, fire broke out at a shoe godown situated in Moti Bazaar in Masti Gate area of Lahore on Friday which engulfed the entire building very quickly.Fire brigade and Rescue 1122 teams reached the spot and brought the fire under control. The rescue operation was hampered by construction work carried out by Walled City Authority just outside the godown.No loss of life was reported in the incident. However, shoe-making material worth millions of rupees was destroyed due to blaze.

Vehari: Man, two sons injured in acid attack

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VEHARI (Dunya News) – A man and his two sons were injured in acid attack over a property dispute in Vehari on Friday night when they were sleeping in their house, Dunya News reported.According to details, Noor Muhammad and his sons Anees Ahmad and Sher Ali received severe burn injuries in the attack. Rescue teams shifted the victims to hospital. The attackers managed to escape from the scene.Acid victim Noor Muhammad has said that his closed relatives Ahmad Ali and Shahid along with their accomplices carried out the acid attack and threw acid on them over a property dispute.

Lahore: Police conduct flag march to maintain law and order situation

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Police conducted a flag march in Lahore on Friday night with an objective to maintain law and order situation in the city, Dunya News reported.The flag march was held on main roads around Allama Iqbal International Airport. The flag march was conducted under the command of SP Cantt, Rana Tahir Rehman.Police officials from Dolphin Force and PRU participated in the flag march. Police sources said that the flag march was conducted to maintain law and order situation in the city.

SpaceX to launch classified US govt payload Sunday

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MIAMI (AFP) - SpaceX on Sunday is scheduled to make its first military launch, with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, which makes and operates spy satellites for the United States.No details were made public about the payload, known only as NROL-76, which was first announced last year.A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is poised to blast NROL-76 into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida during a two-hour launch window which opens Sunday at 7 am (1100 GMT).About 10 minutes after launch, the tall portion of the rocket, known as the first stage, will power its engines and fly back toward Earth to make a controlled landing on solid ground at SpaceXs Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral.The attempt is part of SpaceXs effort to make rocket parts recyclable, rather than jettisoning the costly components after each launch.The California-based company, headed by internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, has already made several successful landings on solid ground and on platforms floating in the ocean.Until now, the US military has spent billions per year exclusively with United Launch Alliance, a joint operation of aerospace giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to launch government satellites.SpaceX in 2014 filed suit against the US Air Force, saying it unfairly awarded billions of dollars to a single company for national security launches.SpaceX also has a pair of launch contracts coming up for the Air Force to send GPS satellites into orbit.If Sundays launch is postponed for any reason, another launch window opens on May 1.

Trump 'happy' with achievements 100 days in

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WASHINGTON, April 28, 2017 (AFP) - Donald Trump said Friday hes happy with his achievements on the eve of his 100 days as president of the United States, despite an admission the jobs harder than he expected.I have to tell you, I dont think anybody has done what weve been able to do in 100 days, so were very happy, he told reporters after signing an executive order in the White House.Were getting a lot of things done, he said, while remarking that he thought the milestone was arbitrary, or a false standard.The expression of optimism came a day after Trump revealed that he thought it would be easier being president.This is more work than in my previous life, the property magnate and former reality-TV star told Reuters in an interview.American media are highlighting the 100-day mark of Trumps presidency on Saturday as an early-days standard against which his performance can be measured against those of predecessors.Issues in the spotlight include the court block on his ban on travelers from several mostly Muslim countries, and a failed bid to repeal his predecessors flagship health care program known as Obamacare.Trumps campaign promises to renegotiate the North American Trade Agreement, address a nuclear deal with Iran he has criticized, and build a wall along the US-Mexican border are also being looked at.Other issues include ratcheted up tensions with North Korea and an easing of aggressive rhetoric against China.At this stage of his presidency Trump is the least popular US leader in modern history.But he is spending the 100-day milestone in friendly company.On Friday, he flew to the city of Atlanta to give a speech to the National Rifle Association, a powerful lobby that gave him its full-throated support early in his campaign.On Saturday, he will hold a rally in Pennsylvania, a state that enthusiastically embraced him during his election.

Three killed at Mexico football match: police

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (AFP) - Three people were shot dead at a football match in a crime-plagued area of southwestern Mexico, police said Friday.Spectators and players fled as shooting broke out at the game on Thursday night in the coastal city of Acapulco, a source in the Guerrero state police said.Gunmen ran around the pitch and chased three young men into a nearby alley where they shot them dead, he said. He gave no indication of the motive for the killings.Guerrero is one of the poorest states in Mexico, a country stricken by violence related to drug gangs.

Four countries interested in hosting 2022 Commonwealth Games

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LONDON (AFP) - Four countries, including Malaysia and Australia, have expressed interest in replacing Durban as host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said on Friday.Canada and the United Kingdom also indicated they would be willing to stage the competition after Games chiefs stripped Durban of the event in March.Australia will host next years Games on the Gold Coast and Malaysia welcomed the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur, while the English cities of Liverpool, Manchester -- the 2002 host venue -- and Birmingham have declared an interest in being the host city.David Grevemberg, who told AFP in March that his federation had not lost faith in Africa one day hosting the Games despite the Durban debacle, said every effort is being made to keep costs to the bidders reasonable.Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the United Kingdom have submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation expressions of interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Grevemberg said in a statement.This is the first step in a collaborative process that will see a clear and detailed set of criteria applied to any Games hosting ambitions.The process has been streamlined to be as agile as possible given the time available and to minimise costs for potential hosts, added the American sports administrator.Grevemberg, who was chief executive of Glasgow in their successful hosting of the 2014 Games, said there would be an intense assessment process of the viability of each candidate.Based on the number of interested parties it is not expected that the process will finally conclude until early autumn, he said.

Those looting country should be in Adiala Jail: Siraj

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BATKHELA (Dunya News) – Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Siraj-ul-Haq has on Friday expressed that those who are looting the country should be in Adiala Jail.He let it be known while addressing a public meeting at Tehsil Batkhela of District Malakand.Siraj-ul-Haq professed during his speech that the panamagate verdict has made the character of PM more suspicious and that there should be proper inquiry and accountability.He expressed that the prime minister has not remained honest and righteous anymore after Panamagate verdict.JI Emir further revealed that load-shedding, poverty and uncertain situations have so far been the gifts given by the prime minister.He professed that Pakistan and corruption can’t go side by side.

Change can't be brought by slogans: Saad Rafique

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – PML-N lawmaker slammed PTI on Friday by saying that change cannot be brought by just slogans and claims.He said that a social revolution required hard work day and night. Railways Minister claimed that the income of his ministry had climbed up three times in the past three years.Saad Rafique was addressing to an event organized by the railways department in Lahore. He vowed to increase the profits of Pakistan Railways.He said, “Railways is rapidly upgrading the engines.”“There is no room for negligence in the department. Strict punishments will be given after analyzing the nature of accidents,” he added.He said that income of Pakistan Railways had doubled from 18 billion rupees to 36 billion rupees during the last three years.

PTI submits resolution over Nawaz-Jindal in NA

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has submitted a resolution in National Assembly regards to the secret meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian steel magnate Sajjan Jindal in Muree.Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party has also submitted a calling attention notice in Senate over the PMs meeting with Jindal.Know:Indian steel tycoon Jindal holds secret meeting with PM Nawaz in MurreeThe notice submitted by Sahar Kamran on behalf of PPP revealed that Sajjan Jindal is close friend of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that his meeting with Nawaz Sharif has raised some serious questions.It is pertinent to mention that Sajjan Jindal and his two colleagues, Suket Singhal and Virender Babar Singh, arrived in Islamabad on a special plane from Kabul and afterwards had a meeting with Nawaz Sharif.

Will name person behind bribe offer if govt moves to court: Imran

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan has announced on Friday to name the person who offered him Rs 10 billion bribe if the government moves to court against him with a defamation suit.Khan addressed a rally in Parade Ground in the federal capital tonight.During his address, he claimed that the person who offered him Rs 10 billion bribe to keep mum over Panama Leaks issue was offered Rs 2 billion to approach him.Khan lambasted leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for not putting forward a quotable example to lead the nation. The rulers do not have the courage to confront Narendra Modi, Indian premier, on India-sponsored terror in Pakistan, according to Khan.PTI chief asked if anyone would embrace Islam following‘Panama Sharif’s’example? Hazrat Ali (RA) had said that no businessman should be chosen to lead the nation as he would favour his interests, Khan claimed.He would raise the dispute of Kashmir on every platform possible, Khan said.The premier had said at the time he left for Saudi Arabia back in the day, that he could quit politics but never deceive the nation, Khan asserted.The rally administration played videos of PM Nawaz’s past interviews during Khan’s address. Khan cited statements of Justice Gulzar, member of the larger bench of top court who wrote a dissenting note in Panama Leaks verdict.After a premier loses moral authority, there is no reason to lead the nation, Khan said. Chief of PTI said that letter of Qatari prince was a lie in the case and that a corrupt leader causes entire hierarchical system to resort to corruption.Khan said that General Sales Tax paid by the people on petroleum products, mobile phone top ups among other facilities uplift the already uplifted and further suppress the impoverished.He said that Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pervaiz Khattak has returned from China after signing multiple Memorandums of Understanding over Rs 23 billion investment. The government of KP has held around 1.1 million civil servants in its three-year tenure over graft and corruption, Khan claimed.The PTI chief said that its the people who need to get out of these troubled times and drive the country towards progress.Khan demanded the premier to step down as he is facing a corruption probe. He cited PM Nawaz’sstance at the time when former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani was facing a probe. The premier had demanded off Gilani to step down at the time, Khan cleared.He urged the people of the country to step out of their homes against corrupt rulers. The apex court has declared it in its verdict in Panama Leaks case that the institutions have failed, Khan claimed.

Real faces behind Dawn Leaks rescued: Sheikh Rasheed

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RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Sheikh Rasheed said on Friday that real faces behind Dawn Leaks were rescued in the commission report.He told that secret meeting with Indian businessman Sajjan Jindal was not appropriate.The Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief held a media talk today. He declared that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been disqualified after Panama case verdict, adding that he was given an eight-day ultimatum.He suggested that it was inappropriate of PM Nawaz to meet Indian businessman Sajjan Jindal secretly in Murree.While addressing at the PTI Islamabad rally later on, Sheikh Rasheed chanted ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogans. He said that under Imran Khan’s leadership, they will take drastic measures to achieve their aims.

Global press freedom at 13-year low: survey

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WASHINGTON (AFP) -Global press freedom has hit a 13-year low, threatened by US President Donald Trumps media bashing and restrictions pursued by both democratic and authoritarian governments, a watchdog said Friday.Freedom House, a US-based human rights organization, highlighted growing concerns over efforts by governments around the world to clamp down on media and dissent.Political leaders and other partisan forces in many democracies -- including the United States, Poland, the Philippines and South Africa -- attacked the credibility of independent media and fact-based journalism, rejecting the traditional watchdog role of the press in free societies, said Jennifer Dunham, who headed the research.The 2016 study of 199 countries concluded that just 13 percent of the worlds population enjoys a free press with robust news coverage and protections for journalists.Another 42 percent of the worlds population has a partly free press and 45 percent live in countries where the media environment is not free, the group said.Fridays report echoed a similar survey released this week by France-based Reporters Without Borders, which said press freedom is facing serious threats in 72 countries, downgrading the rankings of the United States, Britain and others.Freedom House said press rights are being eroded by the efforts of politicians in democratic states to shape news coverage and delegitimize media outlets.When politicians lambaste the media, it encourages their counterparts abroad to do the same, Freedom House president Michael Abramowitz said.Dimming US beaconPress freedom was on a modest decline in the United States even before Trump took office because of the industrys financial woes and news organizations increasingly partisan positions, the report said.But Trump is worsening the situation with his attacks on fake news and characterization of the news media as enemies of the people, according to Freedom House.Such comments suggest a hostility toward the fundamental principles and purposes of press freedom, especially the news medias role in holding governments to account for their words and actions, the report said.The attacks on US media also have the effect of giving authoritarian regimes a green light to crack down on their countries independent press, Freedom House added.A greater danger is that the United States will stop being a model and aspirational standard for other countries, the report said.Protection of press freedom in the United States remains vital to the defense and expansion of press freedom worldwide; indeed, it is a cornerstone of global democracy.Russian propagandaRussia especially is taking advantage of the situation by seeking to manipulate news and social media content in other countries, Freedom House said.Vladimir Putins regime in Russia has been a trailblazer in globalizing state propaganda, the report said.It continues to leverage pro-Kremlin reporting around the world, particularly in neighboring countries with Russian-speaking populations.The worst scores for press freedom went to North Korea, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and the top scores to Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. The global average fell to new lows.Press freedom is also under threat from surveillance laws designed to fight terrorism, the report said.It said Britain, France and Germany have recently passed laws that tip the balance in favor of eavesdroppers and lack sufficient oversight mechanisms and safeguards against abuse, it said.China, Ethiopia, Iran and Syria are among the many staunchly autocratic countries where physical and online monitoring is a fact of life for journalists, intended in part to intimidate the media and suppress critical coverage.Countries with sharp declines in press freedom included Turkey, due to increased censorship, crackdowns on independent media and a rise in detentions and violence against journalists.Poland also saw a major drop thanks to government intolerance toward independent or critical reporting and restrictions on speech concerning Polish history and identity.On the positive side, Freedom House cited modest improvements in press freedom in a handful of countries including Afghanistan, Panama, Sri Lanka and Fiji.Dunham said the report cautiously upgraded Afghanistan to partly free thanks to more diversity in the media but noted that it remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.

Hajj 2017 draw: At least 87,419 applications accepted

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Around 87,419 applicants of government’s Hajj scheme have won the lucky draw out of whom, 107,526 would be shortlisted while 17,564 are in the waiting list over which the court holds the final say.Minister for Religious Affairs Cultural Harmony, Sardar Yousaf conducted the lucky draw today.At least 87,419 applications were selected out of a total 338,696 forms. Under 50 percent reserved quota of the ministry, 87,419 candidates were declared winner and have been congratulated through SMSs.According to an order of the court, 50 percent of the 60 percent pilgrims have been declared finalists whereas the Hajj organisers have challenged ten percent quota of Hajj in Sindh High Court. Punjab Information Technology Board was sought assistance from for computerized lucky draw.According to the federal minister, 179,210 candidates would perform Hajj this year and that for the first time, 394 senior citizens have been given immunity from lucky draw.A young attendant would be dispatched along with all 394 senior citizens each, he added.Sardar Yousaf said that the candidates that won the lucky draw today are needed t submit their passports by May 10. However, those who fail to meet the deadline would be able to refund their money from banks concerned.Hajj operation would begin on July 27 and would conclude by October 6, the minister said.

Military options for North Korea 'unacceptable': Russia

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Russia on Friday warned at the United Nations that military options to address the threat from North Koreas nuclear and ballistic programs were completely unacceptable and would have catastrophic consequences.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told the Security Council that Chinas proposals to re-start talks with North Korea should be seriously examined and that sanctions alone would not work.North Korea is conducting itself in an inappropriate way, Gatilov told the council.At the same time, options of using force are completely unacceptable and could lead to catastrophic consequences.The Security Council was meeting to try to agree on a global response to North Korea that the United States maintains must involve China ramping up pressure on its Pyongyang ally.North Korea is seeking to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead, and has so far staged five atomic tests, two of them last year.Gatilov said mounting rhetoric and reckless muscle-flexing over North Korea could lead to missteps that would have frightening consequences.Chinas proposal for a freeze on North Koreas military programs in exchange for a halt to US-South Korea military drills are ideas that merit serious attention, Gatilov said.The United States has rejected the Chinese proposal and insists that North Korea first take steps to show that it is ready to abandon its military programs.Russia along with China and the United States took part in six-party talks on North Koreas denuclearization from 2003 to 2009, along with Japan, South Korea and Pyongyang.Resolving the nuclear issue through sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang alone is not possible, he said.
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