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Two suspected Pakistani militants behind 2021 attack on Chinese killed in shootout

Two suspected Pakistani militants behind 2021 attack on Chinese killed in shootout
In this file photo, taken on March 26, 2024, security officials inspect the wreckage of a vehicle which was carrying Chinese nationals that plunged into a deep ravine off the mountainous Karakoram Highway after a suicide attack near Besham city in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (AFP/File)
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Updated 11 October 2024
Reuters
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Two suspected Pakistani militants behind 2021 attack on Chinese killed in shootout

Two suspected Pakistani militants behind 2021 attack on Chinese killed in shootout
  • Officials said the militants who had been sentenced to life imprisonment were being moved out of a prison due to a threat when some men attacked the police van
  • The deceased militants were masterminds of the attack that had killed a total of 13 people, including the nine Chinese engineers, near Dasu in northwest Pakistan
Updated 11 October 2024
Reuters
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LAHORE: Two militants involved in the 2021 attack that killed nine Chinese engineers were shot and killed in a shootout in a central Pakistani district on Friday, counter-terrorism officials said.
They said the militants who had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment were being moved out of a prison in Sahiwal district due to a threat when some men attacked the police van they were in.
Two of the five militants in the van were killed in cross-fire between police and the attackers, it said.
Those two were masterminds of the attack that had killed a total of 13 people, including the nine Chinese engineers, near a hydropwer plant in Dasu in northern Pakistan in July 2021.
Pakistan’s main cities, especially Islamabad, are on a high alert ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Conference (SCO) which is scheduled to be held in the capital on Oct 15-16.
Pakistan is seeking to curb all movements of Chinese nationals during the summit because of the risk that they could be attacked.
The shootout came within hours of an attack that killed over 20 miners in southwestern Balochistan province, the hotbed for separatist militants, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has been attacking Chinese nationals and their interests in the region.

UNICEF appoints actress Saba Qamar as first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan

UNICEF appoints actress Saba Qamar as first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan
Updated 5 sec ago
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UNICEF appoints actress Saba Qamar as first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan

UNICEF appoints actress Saba Qamar as first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan
  • One of the most versatile artists, Qamar will raise awareness about issues like child marriage, lack of education
  • She calls it an honor to be chosen by the UN agency to work for the well-being of children across the country
Updated 5 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The UN agency dedicated to promoting children’s rights worldwide appointed renowned performing artist Saba Qamar as its first National Ambassador in Pakistan on Friday, with Qamar calling it an honor to be chosen to work for the well-being of children in the country.
UNICEF regularly appoints national ambassadors in countries around the world, leveraging the influence of celebrities to raise awareness for children’s rights and issues like education, health care and protection.
High-profile figures such as David Beckham in the UK and Shakira in Colombia have used their platforms to support the UN agency’s global initiatives.
The appointment of Qamar in Pakistan comes on the International Day of the Girl Child, which highlights the unique challenges faced by girls globally.
“We are delighted to announce renowned actor @sabaqamarzaman as our first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan to champion the rights of children and girls everywhere,” the UN agency announced on Instagram.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by UNICEF Pakistan (@unicefpk)


It also shared Qamar’s reaction in an official handout.
“It’s an honor to join UNICEF,” she said. “I will echo our shared mission of achieving every right for every child wherever I am.”
“In my recent travels, I have seen both the challenges children and women face in this country and the difference UNICEF’s dedicated efforts are making,” she continued. “I promise to play my part for the children and young people of Pakistan so that they can dream and have the chance to fulfill their dreams.”
UNICEF said Qamar would help raise awareness of children’s rights and issues affecting young people, such as child marriage, mental health, lack of education and the impact of violence, exploitation and child poverty.
Qamar, one of Pakistan’s most versatile and critically acclaimed actresses, has been praised for her performances in both Pakistani and Bollywood productions, including her award-winning role in Baaghi and her Filmfare-nominated performance in Hindi Medium.
Her dedication to the arts has earned her several accolades, including Pakistan’s prestigious Pride of Performance award, solidifying her influence both domestically and internationally.

Topics: Saba Qamar UNICEF National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan

Masood admits England defeat ‘a harsh reality’ for Pakistan

Masood admits England defeat ‘a harsh reality’ for Pakistan
Updated 37 min 44 sec ago
AFP
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Masood admits England defeat ‘a harsh reality’ for Pakistan

Masood admits England defeat ‘a harsh reality’ for Pakistan
  • England’s attack made short work of last four Pakistan batters on Day 5, dismissing hosts for 220, drawing first blood in three-match series
  • England found a way to win despite Pakistan’s first innings total of 556, responding with the fourth-highest Test score of 823-7 in response 
Updated 37 min 44 sec ago
AFP

MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted England taught his team a “harsh reality” on how to win a Test with their massive innings and 47-run victory in Multan on Friday.
England’s attack made short work of the last four Pakistan batters on Day 5, dismissing the hosts for 220 and drawing first blood in the three-match series.
England found a way to win despite Pakistan’s first innings total of 556, responding with the fourth-highest Test score of 823-7 in response.
“It can’t be more disappointing than this,” said Masood who has lost all six Tests since being appointed captain last year.
“England taught us the harsh reality on how to find a way to win a Test match which we couldn’t find,” said Masood who scored a hundred to set up Pakistan’s first innings.
“After two days being under the sun and being 556 behind they gave themselves a chance to bat and scored big and when they came back with the ball they had a plan and they executed that well.”
Harry Brook smashed 317 and Joe Root a record-setting 262, giving England a 267-run lead and both players their highest Test scores.
Chris Woakes then dismissed Abdullah Shafique with the first ball of the second innings before Jack Leach led the England attack to victory with figures of 4-30.
Masood said England proved themselves a quality side.
“The harsh reality in Test cricket is that no matter what the pitch is, quality sides will find a way and England did that and for us the learning is to find a way to win Tests,” said Masood.
Pakistan’s batting has been stumbling due to a slump for talisman Babar Azam, who has gone without a half-century in his last 18 Test innings.
“There is no doubt that Babar is Pakistan’s best batsman,” said Masood of Azam who scored a scratchy 30 and five in the match.
“You always believe that your best batsman is just one innings away and we hope that he returns to form soon.”
Meanwhile, spinner Abrar Ahmed remained doubtful for the second Test in Multan starting on Tuesday.
“The condition of Abrar is not good so we all pray that he recovers well and plays cricket again,” said Masood of the spinner who did not take the field on the last two days due to a high fever.
The third and final Test is in Rawalpindi from October 24.
 

Topics: Shan Masood Pakistan

Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat

Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat
Updated 55 min 19 sec ago
AFP
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Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat

Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat
  • PCB appoints Dar, ex-test fast bowler Aqib Javed, former test captain Azhar Ali, analyst Hasan Cheema to selection committee
  • The immediate task of the committee is to finalize the squad for the second test against England, starting Tuesday at Multan
Updated 55 min 19 sec ago
AFP

ISLAMABAD: After a disastrous innings defeat to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has revamped its selection committee ahead of the second test.

The PCB appointed former international umpire Aleem Dar, ex-test fast bowler Aqib Javed, former test captain Azhar Ali and analyst Hasan Cheema to the selection committee with voting rights. The committee already includes Pakistan captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie.

The immediate task of the committee is to finalize the squad for the second test against England, starting Tuesday at Multan.

The PCB said in a statement that committee members held their first meeting in Lahore on Friday and will meet with the captain and coach in Multan on Saturday before the squad is named for the second test.

There are also four non-voting members on the selection panel, including assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and Bilal Afazal, an adviser to the PCB chairman.

Dar resigned from ICC’s elite panel last year but has been supervising domestic matches, including international games at home. Last month, Dar said he will quit umpiring at the end of the domestic season in 2025.
 

Topics: aleem dar Pakistan England v Pakistan

Pakistan Railways resumes train services from Quetta after militant attack on key bridge

Pakistan Railways resumes train services from Quetta after militant attack on key bridge
Updated 11 October 2024
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Pakistan Railways resumes train services from Quetta after militant attack on key bridge

Pakistan Railways resumes train services from Quetta after militant attack on key bridge
  • Jaffar Express and Bolan Mail departed the Quetta Railway Station in the morning on Friday
  • BLA militants launched a series of attacks in August 26, destroying the historic bridge in Kolpur
Updated 11 October 2024
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: Pakistan Railways on Friday resumed train service from Quetta to other parts of the country after an over month-long closure caused by an attack on a key bridge in the southwestern Balochistan province.

Built in 1887, the five-span bridge was the second such link constructed by the British Army at the Bolan Pass after reaching an agreement with the then Khan of Kalat, Meer Khuda-e-Dad Khan, to extend the railway network to Quetta and Chaman near the Afghan border.

The historic bridge was blown up on August 26, when dozens of armed militants from the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched a series of coordinated attacks across Balochistan, including shooting commuters on highways and carrying out suicide bombings in Lasbela, Musakhail, Kachi, Kalat and Mastung districts.

The attacks coincided with the 18th death anniversary of Baloch chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was killed in a military operation in 2006.

“Pakistan Railways restored the train service from Balochistan after 45 days of closure due to the terrorist attack on a key railway bridge in Kolpur,” Divisional Superintendent (DS) Quetta Kamran Hayat said while speaking to the media at the Quetta Railway Station on Friday.

“Strict security measures were already in place to maintain the security of the train and passengers, we don’t deal with security but separate security agencies are available and soldiers are deployed in the checkpoints established for train security in Balochistan.”

He said the Pakistan Railways had constructed the destroyed bridge in record time.

Earlier, the Quetta-Peshawar bound Jaffar Express departed from the station at 9 AM while the Quetta-Karachi bound Bolan Mail left an hour later at 10am.

Abdul Rehman, a passenger planning to travel on one the trains, lauded the restoration work and the resumption of the train service from Quetta.

“People faced hardships due to the suspension of the service because other intercity transportation means are usually quite costly for passengers,” he said, urging the railway department to restore other trains from Balochistan as well.

According to railway department estimates, train service suspension has caused around Rs40 million ($144,000) in revenue losses.

Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in violence by armed separatist groups in recent months, with militants blocking highways and attacking passengers, particularly those from Pakistan’s populous Punjab province.

The Baloch separatists blame the central government of exploiting the province’s vast mineral resources without benefiting its residents, a charge denied by the state which says it has launched several high-profile projects for the development of the region.

Topics: Pakistan Railways Quetta

Russia’s Putin cements ties with Pakistani president in Central Asia meeting

Russia’s Putin cements ties with Pakistani president in Central Asia meeting
Updated 11 October 2024
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Russia’s Putin cements ties with Pakistani president in Central Asia meeting

Russia’s Putin cements ties with Pakistani president in Central Asia meeting
  • Asif Zardari and Vladimir Putin are in Ashgabat, attending an international forum on peace, cultural cooperation
  • Pakistan and Russia have tried to strength their bilateral relations in recent year, particularly in trade and energy
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday on the sidelines of an international forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where they pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties, state media reported.
The event, organized by Turkmenistan, commemorates the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, an 18th-century Turkmen thinker, poet and philosopher. The international gathering is significant since it brings together key figures from various regional nations to discuss peace, development and cultural cooperation.
Zardari, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, also interacted with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the forum.
“The informal interaction was held on the sidelines of a two-day international forum ... here in the Turkmen capital,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported, adding, “they emphasized further strengthening of bilateral relationships.”
“Both leaders expressed good wishes for each other,” it continued.
Earlier, the Pakistani president addressed the forum, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation, particularly in cultural and economic development.
He also highlighted the longstanding bond between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, saying it was built on shared history and values while expressing hope that the discussions would lead to strengthened cultural collaboration in the region.
Pakistan and Russia have also been trying to strengthen bilateral cooperation in recent year, particularly in trade and energy.
Last July, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, where both leaders agreed to collaborate in agriculture, food security and investment.

Topics: Pakistan Russia Ties Turkmenistan

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