The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will hold a session in New York on August 16 to deliberate over the prevailing situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) days after India scrapped Article 370, Radio Pakistan reported. The request to convene the meeting was made by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. China also backed Pakistan’s request, asking for the UNSC to meet behind closed doors.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has shown satisfaction with the current safety plan in place for next month’s Davis Cup tie between Pakistan and India in Islamabad. ITF had another round of security assessment after India requested the Tennis chiefs to reconsider if proper security measures were in place. India’s request came in the aftermath of Pakistan’s decision to expels Indian diplomats.
Death toll from rain related incidents has reached six, as monsoon rain wrecks havoc Karachi, drowning sacrificial animals and people alike in misery. Roads across the city are flooded with rainwater, while electricity supply is suspended in certain areas. A rescue operation conducted by the Rangers is currently underway as the megalopolis experienced heavy monsoon showers for a second consecutive day.
13 members of the Indian diplomatic staff in Pakistan, have reportedly left the country with their families via Wagah border. The staff members left after Pakistan decided to severe diplomatic ties with India in response to New Delhi’s illegal annexation of disputed Jammu and Kashmir region. Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats and also decided to suspend bilateral trade with India.
As tensions escalate between Pakistan and India, Pakistan has decided to suspend the last public transport service between the countries: the ‘Dosti’ Bus. The bus service has been suspended for an indefinite period of time. Two days ago, train service to India called the ‘Samjhota express’ had also been suspended. Railway minister Sheikh Rasheed announced the news via Twitter.
PML-N vice president and daughter of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, has been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The anti-graft body has also arrested Yousaf Abbas Sharif, a nephew of Nawaz, in same case. The move comes following Maryam and Yousaf’s reported refusal to appear before NAB in Chaudhary Sugar Mills and assets beyond means case today at 3pm.
The United States informed Pakistan that it has removed a 25-mile travel ban and other restrictions imposed last year on Pakistani diplomats and diplomatic staff stationed in the country. In return, Islamabad also has restored facilities that US diplomats had enjoyed in Pakistan until last year. Trump administration imposed these restrictions on May 10, 2018 and on May 11, Islamabad imposed similar restrictions.
Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership have decided to suspend bilateral trade in with India in the aftermath of its illegal move of revoking occupied Kashmir’s special status. The meeting also concluded with a decision to expel Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria. Pakistan has also informed Indian government that Pakistan will not be sending its High Commissioner-designate to India.
PML-N leader and former finance minister, Miftah Ismail was arrested outside Islamabad High Court (IHC) by National National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday. Miftah was arrested after IHC rejected his request for an extension in his pre-arrest interim bail in the LNG import case. NAB is charging Miftah in connection with illegal awarding of LNG terminal-1 to Engro Energy Terminal Private Limited.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Attaur Rehman, accused of rape and blackmail of a university student in Multan for 11 months, has apparently fled the country. The Punjab Assembly lawmaker flew from Multan to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to avoid a possible arrest. Rehman had allegedly raped a first-year MSCS student and was using video of the rape to threaten her.