Nawaz, Shahbaz on same page to ramp up PDM’s anti-govt efforts

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August 11, 2021

LAHORE: Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and his brother, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, have appeared to be on the same page, agreeing in talks to inject new vigor into the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and to ramp up efforts to oust the government.

The talks between the brothers come ahead of a meeting of the Opposition alliance tomorrow in Islamabad.

They also come amid speculation by the media and government representatives in recent months over a perceived difference in the two brothers’ approaches, characterised by Minister for Interior Shaikh Rasheed as Noon League (named after Nawaz Sharif) separating from a supposed Sheen League (named after Shahbaz Sharif).

It has confirmed by some sources that Shahbaz Sharif will convene an intra-party meeting prior to the PDM session.

The sources said that Nawaz has instructed Shahbaz to mobilise the PML-N ranks to step up efforts in their anti-government campaign.

Meanwhile, former PDM member, PPP has wished the alliance good luck.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has, in fact, renewed calls for the Opposition to mount a no-trust bid against Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar.

“If the Opposition moves a no-confidence motion against [Prime Minister] Imran Khan and [Chief Minister Punjab] Usman Buzdar, then we can have the government ousted tomorrow,” Bilawal said in a press conference.

Bilawal’s remarks came despite the PPP having had a fall out with the alliance and ultimately quitting it.

The PDM, a multi-party Opposition alliance, was formed on September 20, 2020 with a view to oust the PTI-led government.

After a successful first few weeks of campaigning, that saw mass rallies convene all across Pakistan, rifts began to emerge, around the time of the Senate elections.

At the forefront of the tensions are the PPP and PML-N — considered the two biggest Opposition parties in Pakistan — ever since PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gillani was appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

Gillani’s appointment drew the ire of PDM, which said that the move was made without its blessing.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz maintains that at the time of the Senate chairman election, it was “decided” that with the PPP running for the seat, the PML-N will be given the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate position.

PPP, however, rounded up 30 senators to get its own candidate, Gillani appointed to the Opposition leader position.

The numbers comprised 21 senators from the PPP itself, 2 senators from the Awami National Party, 1 senator of the Jamaat-i-Islami, 2 independents from FATA and a group of 4 ‘independents’ led by Senator Dilawar Khan that had broken away from the Balochistan Awami Party to support Gillani’s candidature.

Over seeking the support of government allies (members of BAP), the PDM then issued show-cause notices to the PPP, as well as ANP, a move that was considered highly offensive by both parties and resulted in them quitting the alliance.

Mudslinging between both parties, following the break up, has continued and the rift seems to be widening over time.

In the NA-249 by-election in Karachi, the PPP and PML-N fielded their separate candidates with PPP’s Abdul Qadir Mandokhel winning the race. PML-N accused the PPP of stealing the election.

PPP, in turn, demanded proof of the allegations and went so far as to name the PML-N as the “original selected” and “only second to PTI in its selectedness”.

PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl faction, has on several occasions said he wishes to give PPP and ANP a chance to return to the fold.

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Afghanistan seeks Pakistan’s help in ‘dismantling’ Taliban

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TNT Monitoring Desk

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August 7, 2021

NEW YORK: Pakistan should help Afghanistan in “dismantling” the Taliban for peace to prosper in the war-torn country, said Ghulam M Isaczai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations while speaking during the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) open meeting on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan held at the United Nations.

The discussion was requested by the Afghan government, as well as Norway and Estonia. The Security Council last met on Afghanistan in June, but the situation in the conflict-ridden country has rapidly worsened since then.

Peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators started last year in the Qatari capital of Doha, but have not made any substantive progress.

Isaczai, who represented Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar in the meeting, said the Taliban had launched brutal attacks which had caused further instability in the country. “It is our job to stop it”, he continued.

In recent days, the Taliban and their affiliated groups have launched more than 5,000 attacks in 31 of the 34 provinces, Isaczai said, slamming the group for going against the Doha peace deal.

The ambassador said the group had gone against the peace deal by not cutting off ties with international terrorist organizations. “And their ties cannot be broken off,” he alleged.

“Those who indulge and participate with them also reap the benefits,” he said, adding the Taliban were “linked to 20 foreign terrorist organizations”.

The Taliban are in contact with Al-Qaeda, Daesh, and Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan’s militant organizations, the Afghan representative told the UNSC meeting.

“We request Pakistan to dismantle Taliban infrastructure and pipelines,” Isaczai said, noting that Taliban attacks are intensifying with every passing day.

Afghanistan’s UN envoy Isaczai urged the Security Council to act to “prevent a catastrophic situation.”

“We’re alarmed by reports and incidents of gross human rights violation by the Taliban and their foreign terrorist associates in almost half of our country and we are extremely concerned about the safety and security of people in cities under Taliban attacks,” he said.

Meanwhile, UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, told the Security Council the war in Afghanistan had entered a “new, deadlier, and more destructive phase” with more than 1,000 civilians killed in the past month during a Taliban offensive.

“A party that was genuinely committed to a negotiated settlement would not risk so many civilian casualties, because it would understand that the process of reconciliation will be more challenging the more blood is shed,” Lyons said via video link from Kabul.

“The Security Council must issue an unambiguous statement that attacks against cities must stop now,” Lyons told the 15-member council.

“This is now a different kind of war, reminiscent of Syria, recently, or Sarajevo, in the not-so-distant past,” she said.

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Taliban close border with Pakistan, demand scrapping of visa requirements for Afghans

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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August 7, 2021

KABUL: Demanding a complete dismissal or leniency in the visa requirements for Afghans by Pakistan, the Taliban closed a major frontier with Pakistan.

“No one would be allowed through until Islamabad dropped or relaxed its visa requirements for Afghans,” they said.

The Taliban, wresting control of Afghanistan in the wake of a withdrawal of US and other foreign troops, last month captured the southeast Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing from Afghan forces.

Pakistan initially closed its side of the crossing, landlocked Afghanistan’s second busiest entry point and main commercial artery to the sea, before reopening it last week.

But since the Taliban took control of Chaman-Spin Boldak, Pakistani border officials there have begun enforcing visa requirements for Afghans which previously were not as strictly observed.

In a statement on Friday, the Taliban called on Pakistan to scrap all visa requirements for Afghans.

“(The crossing) will remain closed for all types of commuting, including transit and trade, for both sides, and pedestrians, until the Pakistani side leaves the gate open, morning to evening, for Afghans holding [Pakistani issued] migration cards or ID cards,” the insurgent group’s shadow governor for Kandahar province said in the statement.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group’s leadership had endorsed the move, and on Friday the border had been closed.

Since US-led foreign troops began leaving Afghanistan earlier this year, fighting between the Taliban and Afghan forces has escalated significantly. In recent weeks, the Taliban have advanced rapidly on provincial capitals and targeted top government officials inside Kabul.

The group has also taken control of several border crossings, including with Iran and Central Asian countries, but the crossing with Pakistan provides a significant customs revenue.

Afghan government data indicates the route was used by 900 trucks a day before the Taliban seized it.

The closure could impact import of medicines and other essential goods as violence has sharply escalated in Afghanistan amidst a pandemic, with the United Nations saying hundreds of thousands have been displaced internally.

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Geo Super to broadcast Kashmir Premier League-2021

By

Sameena Umar

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August 6, 2021

KARACHI: The Geo Super, Pakistan’s first sports channel would broadcast another cricket extravaganza the “Kashmir Premier League” (KPL-2021) from August 6 in Azad Kashmir. The country’s lone sports channel Geo Super will broadcast all the matches of the KP League live to its viewers, including its opening ceremony.

Six teams will face off in the Kashmir Premier League including Muzaffarabad Tigers, Rawalpindi Hawks, Bagh Stallions, Mirpur Royals, Kotli Lions and Overseas Warriors. Emad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal would lead their respective teams.

The opening match of KPL will be played between Rawalakot Hawks and Mirpur Royals on August 6, while the one between Bagh Stallions and Kotli Lions will be played on August 7. The KPL qualifier match will be played on August 14, while Eliminator One will be played on August 15 and the second eliminator on August 16 and the final of the tournament will be played on August 17. Twelve of the 19 matches of the Kashmir Premier League will be held in day and night.

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Organizers go all out for KPL coverage with LED Flex technology, HD cameras

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

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August 6, 2021

MUZAFFARABAD: Organisers of Kashmir Premier League (KPL) go all out for coverage with LED Flex technology, HD cameras. As of today Kashmir League kicks off for the first time, organisers have pushed the envelope to broadcast the league.

Five pitches at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium are being prepared to host the KPL action. To broadcast the league, 22 high definition cameras will be used along with state-of-the-art floodlights.

LED Flex technology will also be used for the KPL matches for the first time in Pakistan, the organizers said, adding the LED Flex technology has only been used in matches played in England before.

Drone cameras will also be used to ensure quality in the KPL coverage, revealed sources, adding that the league’s production will be modeled after the Pakistan Super League production.

Meanwhile, over the KPL being held in Pakistan, the BCCI had issued a warning to other cricket boards last week for allowing their players to play in the KPL.

Following the threat from the Indian cricket board, several foreign cricketers withdrew from the event which is set to begin on August 6. However, KPL President Arif Malik has said that the tournament will go ahead as scheduled, adding that Pakistani cricketers will participate.

Sources said the Indian board threatened the foreign players through their agents, saying that if they went to Kashmir, the doors of Indian cricket, including the IPL, would be closed for them.

The six foreign cricketers, who have excused themselves from the KPL, are Matt Prior, Phil Mustard, Owais Shah, Tenu Best and Monty Panser.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed displeasure over reports of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) calling multiple ICC members and forcing them to withdraw their retired cricketers from the Kashmir Premier League.

The PCB believes the BCCI has once again breached international norms and the spirit of the gentleman’s game by interfering in the internal affairs of the ICC members as the KPL has been approved by the PCB, the statement from Pakistan’s cricket board had said.

“PCB considers the BCCI has brought the game into disrepute by issuing warnings to multiple ICC members to stop their retired cricketers from featuring in the Kashmir Premier League, further threatening they will not be allowed entry into India for cricket-related work.”

Such conduct from the BCCI is completely unacceptable, against the preamble of the Spirit of Cricket, and sets a dangerous precedence, which can neither be tolerated nor ignored, the statement had said.

“The PCB will raise this matter at the appropriate ICC forum and also reserves the right to take any further action that is available to us within the ICC charter.”

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Nawaz Sharif’s request for visa extension denied by British authorities

By

Our Correspondent

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August 6, 2021

LONDON: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif‘s request for an extension in his visit visa has been turned down by British authorities, media reported on Thursday.

Nawaz’s six-month visit visa had expired, after which he had put in a request with the UK Home Office to grant him an extension on health grounds.

The immigration department, however, denied the request.

Nawaz now has two options: to appeal the decision with the department, and in the event it is turned down, he can approach British courts.

The Sharif family confirmed the development, with Nawaz’s son Hussain Nawaz saying the decision will be appealed.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb was quoted by Geo New as saying that the British home department stated in their response that Nawaz can appeal the decision with an immigration tribunal. She said Nawaz’s lawyers had therefore filed an appeal with the tribunal, which include his medical records.

Marriyum said that until the tribunal makes a decision, the home department’s orders will remain ineffective. “Nawaz Sharif can legally reside in Britain until the decision,” she said.

The PML-N spokesperson clarified that Nawaz “has not and will never seek political asylum”.

“These people have nothing better than to do than to speak lies about Nawaz Sharif every day,” she said.

Later, the PML-N supremo and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif spoke, where Nawaz informed his younger brother that his lawyers had filed an appeal against the decision, according to a statement by the party on Twitter.

In the appeal, the lawyers have made Nawaz’s health the grounds for his stay in the United Kingdom, the statement said.

Shahbaz urged Nawaz to remain in Britain till he recovers and told him that the nation and party hold his safety and health above everything else, the statement said. “The entire nation and party are praying for your recovery,” Shahbaz told Nawaz.

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Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity rate rises to 9% for first time in nearly three months

By

Ishfaqullah Shawl

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August 5, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported 5,661 new coronavirus pandemic cases during last 24 hours out of 62,462 coronavirus tests conducted round the country that took the positivity ration to 9.06 per cent. During last 24 hours 60 deaths were also reported by novel coronavirus.

According to the latest figures appeared on National Coronavirus Dashboard of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 5,661 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours besides 60 people have lost their lives as well.

With 5,661 new cases of coronavirus were reported the overall number of positive cases has surged to 1,053,660. The nationwide tally of fatalities, after 60 deaths were reported in last 24 hours has jumped to 23,635 on Thursday.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Overall deaths by COVID-19 has crossed 23,635 out of which 11,122 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 6,098 in Sindh, 4,495 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 807 in Islamabad, 636 in Azad Kashmir, 329 in Balochistan, and 148 in Gilgit Baltistan.

The tally of the positive cases across Pakistan has crossed 1,053,660 out of which 392,433 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 360,494 in Punjab, 146,485 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 89,117 in Islamabad, 30,880 in Balochistan, 25,778 in Azad Kashmir and 8,473 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistan has so far conducted 16,278,190 coronavirus tests and 62,462 in the last 24 hours. 952,616 patients have recovered in the country whereas 4,050 patients are in critical condition.

The COVID-19 positivity ratio was recorded at 9.06 per cent.

So far, 27,117,311 people have received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine and 970,536 in last 24 hours. 7,086,742 citizens have been inoculated second dose of the vaccine and 187,897 in last 24 hours.

The number of total administered doses has escalated to 34,204,053 with 1,158,433 in the last 24 hours.

COVID-19 positivity rate jumped to 9.06 per cent Thursday morning, marking the first time in nearly three months that the country has recorded a positivity rate over 9 per cent. The country last recorded a coronavirus positivity rate of 9.12 per cent on May 10.

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Kashmiris across globe observe Aug 5, as black day: Pakistan marks it Youm-e-Istehsal

By

Nuzhat Aftab

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August 5, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, in Pakistan and across the globe are marking August 5 as black day against the Indian move to revoke Article 370 and 35A.

Two years ago, on August 5 2019, Hindu fanatic nationalist party Bhartya Janata Party (BJP) led government revoked the territory’s special status, withdrawing Article 370 and 35A, giving autonomous status to State of Jammu Kashmir.

Kashmiris round the world have vehemently opposed this Indian move as from August 5, 2019 Kashmir was put under strict lockdown.

A host of events have been arranged in order to denounce the Indian unilateral, illegal actions against the Kashmiri people. Indian occupied Kashmir, which is already under strict lockdown was put under curfew and people forced to remain indoors.

Pakistan is observing, the day as “Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir”, to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, as it marks two years of Indian occupied Kashmir’s military siege.

Solidarity walks of one mile will be arranged in all the main cities, including the federal capital. President Arif Alvi will lead the walk in Islamabad.

The participants of the walk will wear black bands and carry the flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. A one-minute silence was observed across the country while traffic was also halted for a minute, and sirens were sounded.

Radio and television channels will play Pakistan and Azad Kashmir’s national anthems immediately after the one-minute silence.

A rally was also arranged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the day.

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US want Pakistan to keep Afghan border open for refugees

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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August 5, 2021

WASHINGTON: The United States of America wants Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, a demand that could strain already tense relations between the two countries.

“So, in a place like Pakistan, it’ll be important that their borders remain open,” said a senior State Department official while briefing journalists on the new US refugee admission program for Afghan nationals.

“Obviously, if people go north or if they go via Iran to Turkey …(they) have an opportunity both to enter the country as well as to register with either the government or with UNHCR,” the official added.

The new program applies to those who worked on US-funded projects and to Afghans employed by a US-based media or non-governmental organization (NGO).

An earlier program, known as the Special Immigration Visa (SIV), covers interpreters and others who worked for the US government agencies, and their families.

Besides Pakistan, the US State Department has also asked Turkey to allow Afghans to stay in the country for up to 14 months before they are resettled in the United States.

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said at a briefing in Washington this week that arrangements should be made to keep displaced Afghans inside their country instead of pushing them into Pakistan. “Why make them dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make arrangements for them inside their country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to take more refugees.”

The Turkish government too has criticized the US plan to use third countries to resettle Afghans, saying the move would cause a “great migration crisis” in the region.

“We do not accept the irresponsible decision taken by the United States without consulting our country,” the Turkish Ministry Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in Ankara.

“If the United States wants to take these people to its country, it is possible to transfer them directly to their country by planes.”

There are two countries that can play a pivotal role in this resettlement plan, Iran and Pakistan. Since the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, US policy makers look at Pakistan to help them implement this program.

Pakistan, however, appears reluctant to do so. Since 1979, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans and more than three million are permanently settled in the country. Pakistani officials argue that their economy is not strong enough to absorb more refugees.

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UAE lifts ban on transit flights from today; CAA issues revised advisory

By

Our Correspondent

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August 5, 2021

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan, India, Nigeria and other countries from today (Thursday) August 5, the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said.

The UAE, a major international travel hub, has banned passengers from many South Asian and African countries for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.

Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.

The transit ban had also included Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. NCEMA said that a ban on entry to the UAE for passengers from these countries would also be lifted for those with valid residencies and who are certified by Emirati authorities as fully vaccinated.

However, they would need to apply for online entry permits prior to travelling and would need to present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure.

Those working in the medical, educational or government sectors in the Gulf Arab state as well as those studying or completing medical treatment in the UAE would be exempt from the vaccination requirement as would humanitarian cases.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a revised travel advisory for international inbound travellers in the wake of the fourth wave of coronavirus pandemic.

According to the advisory, the new restrictions will go into effect from August 9.

The CAA said all inbound passengers of age six years and above will be required to possess a valid negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.

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