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Waqas Dar

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Blog Entries posted by Waqas Dar

  1. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes that Pakistan can have a respectable finishing in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy if they continued playing the way they did that against the top ODI team South Africa in the Wednesday's match at Edgbaston.

    "After suffering defeat against India in the opener I think they have found a clue how to play. They played against South Africa with a changed mindset. If they continue playing in the same fashion in the rest of the tournament, then I believe they can have very good finishing," he told a sports TV channel on Thursday.
    He in particular mentioned the performance of debutant Fakhar Zaman and one-down batsman Babar Azam.
    He said Fakhar's belief and self-confidence against South Africa was excellent.
    "The good thing about him is that he plays aggressively while being sensible. This is how he also plays at the domestic level," he said.
    "It was his debut. At no point he looked nervous. He showed a great temperament against South Africa and it was marvelous to see him taking on world's top class bowlers in English conditions," he added.
    He hoped that Fakhar's game awareness would improve with the passage of time.
    About Babar Azam, Misbah said he had turned into a mature player.
    "He is an asset for Pakistan. He is scoring consistently. It is after a long time that Pakistan have found a player at the one-down position who is very strong on the back foot."
    "He is also a very busy player and does not find difficulty in any sort of condition. In the match against South Africa he played according to the requirement. He is improving and that is very good for Pakistan," he added.


  2. Waqas Dar
    Reuters/file ISLAMABAD: The number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan returning to their homeland is expected to decrease this year, UN officials said Thursday, after a record number of repatriations in 2016 sparked fears of a humanitarian crisis.

    Some 32,000 registered refugees have returned from Pakistan since April 3, when repatriations for the year began following the winter, the body said.
    A record 370,000 Afghans left Pakistan last year, many of whom were second or even third generation migrants of people fleeing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan during the 1980s, surging from 55,000 the year before.
    Observers said the exodus was compounded by a hardening of Pakistani attitudes towards Afghans over accusations the community was responsible for harbouring militants and criminals.
    But what appears to be an improving environment in Pakistan, coupled with perceptions the Afghan government has failed to uphold pledges of assistance towards returnees, has now slowed the rate of return.
    "The environment in Pakistan is very different today from this time last year. There were more palpable push factors in Pakistan for Afghans to return home last summer," said Dan McNorton, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency.
    In February, Islamabad announced a new policy for the management of Afghan refugees which included the registration of undocumented Afghans, adopting a refugee law and a new visa regime for Afghans.
    Such measures in turn have encouraged Afghans to continue living in Pakistan rather than risk leaving for Afghanistan where fighting rages between government, Taliban and Daesh forces.
    Security in Kabul, where many returnees seek refuge, has deteriorated in the last week, as anger grows after a massive bomb in the city´s diplomatic quarter killed more than 150 people.
    Assistant packages from the UNHCR have also been scaled back to $200 per person, officials said. Last year they had been upped to $400, which observers said also acted as an incentive for the flood of returnees.
    Some 4.2 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan voluntarily under the UNHCR-funded Voluntary Repatriation programme since 2002.
    But UNHCR and Pakistani officials have said some 1.34 million registered refugees still live in Pakistan. Estimates say there are a further half million undocumented refugees in the country.
    Indrika Ratwatte, the UNHCR country representative for Pakistan, said some degree of fatigue had set in after 37 continuous years of hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world.




  3. Waqas Dar
    LONDON:  Former cricket all-rounder Shahid Afridi said it would be a mistake to write off Pakistan after they proved they remain arguably the most unpredictable team in international cricket by trumping South Africa.

    Three days after being steamrolled by arch-rivals India, Sarfraz Khan and his team mates upset South Africa in a rain-hit match on Wednesday to revive their Group B campaign in Birmingham.
    Consistency has never been their strong point but Afridi, who featured in Pakistan´s five Champions Trophy campaigns, said the win has the potential to transform the young side.
    "It is heartening to see Pakistan play the way it did and I hope it continues its good work and brings smiles on the faces of our passionate cricket fans," Afridi wrote in a column for cricket governing body website. 
    "I also feel that Pakistan shouldn?t be ruled out of title contention anymore.
    The win today can make this side do some amazing things in the tournament.
    Once again write Pakistan off at your own peril," he added.
    Paceman Hasan Ali led Pakistan´s improved bowling performance against South Africa, claiming 3-24 to help restrict the Proteas to 219-8 in 50 overs.
    Pakistan were 119-3 in 27 overs, 19 runs ahead under the Duckworth-Lewis method - which governs such weather-hit contests - when rain intervened to give them their first win in the tournament.
    Afridi was particularly impressed with 23-year-old Hasan Ali, who walked away with the man-of-the-match award.
    "I don´t recall Pakistan fast bowlers delivering match-winning performances in recent years, hence Hasan?s three-wicket spell made me really happy.
    "He is a mature bowler for his age, has decent pace and the ability of seaming the ball while he can also make the old ball reverse with impeccable control.
    "Pakistan conclude their Group B campaign against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday.


  4. Waqas Dar
    Shikhar Dhawan in action (Reuters) LONDON: Shikhar Dhawan led the India charge with a blistering 125 as the holders piled up 321 for six against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy on Thursday.
    After scoring 68 in India´s 124-run victory against Pakistan in their Group B opener, Dhawan overpowered the Sri Lanka attack with another swaggering display at The Oval.
    The 31-year-old hit 15 fours and one six in his 128-ball innings, receiving strong support from fellow opener Rohit Sharma (78) and MS Dhoni (63).
    India´s total was the highest of the tournament so far, surpassing the 319 for three they amassed against Pakistan.
    Kohli walks off dejected after losing his wicket (Reuters) It was a typically muscular effort from India as they pursue an 11th win from their last 14 ODI matches, and a 15th victory in their last 18 meetings with Sri Lanka.
    Sri Lanka, beaten by 99 runs against South Africa in their first match, face a daunting task as they try to keep alive their hopes of making the semi-finals.
    India started with an impressive first wicket partnership of 138-runs between Rohit Sharman and Dhawan. The opening stand was broken by Lasith Malinga as he took the wicket of Sharma (78) in 24th over. 
    Virat Kohli faced his first duck in an ICC tournament today as he nicked a delivery of Nuwan Pradeep. 
    On the 33 over, Yuvraj Singh was bold by Gunaratne after playing 7 off 18. 
    Dhawan celebrates on reaching his century with MS Dhoni  (Reuters)  Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to bowl in Thursday´s Champions Trophy clash against India at The Oval.
    After losing their opening Group B match against South Africa, Sri Lanka desperately need a win as they battle to reach the semi-finals.
    Mathews, fit after a calf injury, returned to the line-up in place of the suspended Upul Tharanga as one of three Sri Lanka changes.
    Thisara Perera came in for Seekkuge Prasanna and Danushka Gunathilaka played in place of the injured Chamara Kapugedera.
    "The pressure is on today but we won´t think about it. We´ll just go and enjoy ourselves," Mathews said.
    "It feels awesome to be back in the team. I can´t bowl and it does affect the team so that´s why we have strengthened our bowling."
    India were unchanged after thrashing arch-rivals Pakistan in their opener and a second successive win would effectively book a place in the semi-finals for the holders.
    India captain Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has told his teammates not to get carried away by the praise that has come their way since they beat Pakistan.

    "Sometimes, starting with the tournament, creating momentum as a team, you can misfield, you can get overexcited," he said.
    "I don't think when you are playing good cricket, you should look too much into the praise factor.
    "At this moment we are playing some good cricket but that doesn't mean that we play with arrogance... In this sport, anyone can upset anyone on their given day... you certainly cannot even think of taking anyone lightly."
    India are currently at the top of the group due to their superior run rate.
    Squads




  5. Waqas Dar
    Shikhar Dhawan in action (Reuters) LONDON: Shikhar Dhawan scored a sure-footed century in Thursday`s - becoming the quickest by any player to score 500 runs in the Champions Trophy -  in the clash against Sri Lanka at The Oval. 
    India started with an impressive first wicket partnership of 138-runs between Rohit Sharman and Dhawan. The opening stand was broken by Lasith Malinga as he took the wicket of Sharma (78) in 24th over. 
    Virat Kohli faced his first duck in an ICC tournament today as he nicked a delivery of Nuwan Pradeep. 
    On the 33 over, Yuvraj Singh was bold by Gunaratne after playing 7 off 18. 
    Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to bowl in Thursday´s Champions Trophy clash against India at The Oval.
    After losing their opening Group B match against South Africa, Sri Lanka desperately need a win as they battle to reach the semi-finals.
    Mathews, fit after a calf injury, returned to the line-up in place of the suspended Upul Tharanga as one of three Sri Lanka changes.
    Thisara Perera came in for Seekkuge Prasanna and Danushka Gunathilaka played in place of the injured Chamara Kapugedera.
    "The pressure is on today but we won´t think about it. We´ll just go and enjoy ourselves," Mathews said.
    "It feels awesome to be back in the team. I can´t bowl and it does affect the team so that´s why we have strengthened our bowling."
    India were unchanged after thrashing arch rivals Pakistan in their opener and a second successive win would effectively book a place in the semi-finals for the holders.
    India captain Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has told his teammates not to get carried away by the praise that has come their way since they beat Pakistan.

    "Sometimes, starting with the tournament, creating momentum as a team, you can misfield, you can get overexcited," he said.
    "I don't think when you are playing good cricket, you should look too much into the praise factor.
    "At this moment we are playing some good cricket but that doesn't mean that we play with arrogance... In this sport, anyone can upset anyone on their given day... you certainly cannot even think of taking anyone lightly."
    India are currently at the top of the group due to their superior run rate.
    Squads




  6. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: A man, identified as Malik Noor Awan, accosted Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed outside the National Assembly Thursday morning claiming the politician owes him money.

    The incident occurred near Gate 1 of the Parliament House. The man kept insisting that Rasheed return his money and held the politicians hand forcefully.
    ?I will pay you very soon,? Rasheed assured the man, while trying to calm him down. ?You must promise me that you will pay up,? the man remarked.
    After the incident, Rasheed went into the Parliament. ?I will complain about this to the [National Assembly] speaker.?
    Later, Rasheed filed a case against Noor Awan at Secretariat Police Station.
    Awan alleged that Rasheed bought a car from him but has yet to pay him around Rs20 million for it. Speaking to the media, Awan said ?I am a very poor man and Rs20.2 million is a big amount. It?s my hard earned money.?
    He also claimed that I ran into Rasheed at the airport but he ignored him. ?He does not even attend my phone calls.?
    Addressing a press conference later, Rasheed said ?I have said before that parliament lacks security," said Rasheed, demanding the presiding officer to arrest the man.
    The politician alleged that the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, is behind the incident. "If anything happens to me then they [PML-N] will be responsible for it," he added. 
    Following the incident, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar met Rasheed inside Parliament. Nisar said that relevant measures will be taken upon the advice of the speaker.
    The person has been taken into custody, he added.
    On the issue, Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah remarked ?this is an important matter and it should be investigated.? This should be revealed how did the person enter the parliament, he said, and asked ?how did he get the permission to enter the parliament??


  7. Waqas Dar
    RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the training centre of the army?s elite commando unit ? Special Services Group (SSG) ? at Tarbela.

    The army chief witnessed the completion of an eight-week-long counter terrorism training course of a special forces battalion of the Nigerian army. The Nigerian contingent comprised 440 trainees, including 26 officers.
    SSG troops during the Pakistan Day Parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2017. Photo: AFP The COAS appreciated the standard of training imparted at the SSG centre, as well as the results attained by the trainee contingent. The army chief also said that terrorism is a menace that requires a collective response.
    ?Pakistan Army has a vast experience of counter terrorism (CT) operations as well as modern training facilities and is happy to play a part in enabling CT response of multiple friendly countries,? said Gen Bajwa, according to a statement by the Inter Services Public Relations. 


  8. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/5bc7c30b81e41ca25acf60a844588b98.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgOTo0Njo1OCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPXd1RkxuTkNab080bnRDU0FFSU4zdUE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] MANDSAUR: Indian politician Rahul Gandhi was detained on Thursday at the Neemuch border while he was travelling to violence-hit Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, to meet the families of labourers killed in police firing during their protest.

    The Congress vice-president began his journey by flying to Rajasthan?s Udaipur and then driving towards Mandsaur. However, his vehicle was stopped near the border after which the leader reportedly jumped on a motorcycle and was stopped again after three kilometres.
    After this, Gandhi started walking briskly around the check post of Special Protection Group. He tried to break through the police barricades but was stopped.
    After the incident, Gandhi tweeted that ?Raj [and] MP governments are doing their best to prevent me from entering MP and meeting the families of the farmers killed in Mandsaur.?
    In another tweet, he remarked ?What law of the land says that it is illegal to stand in solidarity with farmers who were killed simply for demanding what is their right??

    The police said that Gandhi and other Congres leaders would not be allowed to enter Mandsaur, which is currently under the curfew. Presently, about 700 policemen have been deployed at the Neemuch border, according to Indian media.
    Gandhi had announced a day before that he will be travelling to Mandsaur.
    Violent protests
    Since the last week, a huge group of farmers and agricultural labourers have been protesting in Mandsaur, demanding higher prices for their crops and loan waivers.
    On Tuesday, the agitation intensified as protesters threw stones and vandalised vehicles after police allegedly opened fire on them.
    Later, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh confirmed that five farmers have been killed in the clashes with the police, which he had vehemently denied before. 


  9. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/ba802729a2d723fd7b2e4fa70e401448.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNToxMDozMCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPUV5cm9IWkh6cW42WUFCcTVuaFByTWc9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached Kazakhstan on Thursday to attend the two-day meeting of the Heads of State Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
    The premier is accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz. 
    Earlier, the delegation departed from the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi.
    On the sidelines of the two-day summit, the prime minister will be holding bilateral meetings with the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as the Mongolian and Russian presidents.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be attending the conference, as India too will be granted full membership of the SCO.
    Sources said a chance meeting between Sharif and Modi is possible on the sidelines of the summit. 

    [embed_video2 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/9d383f174c590e433d8be0d032cadeb3.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNToxMjo1NyBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPXZCK0NmK0VXWE53UDcxUXV5cmdYREE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    With the inclusion of Pakistan and India, the SCO will have a total of eight states as permanent members ? after China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Other observer states and governments and international organisations are also part of the group. 

    The group will then represent nearly half of the world?s population after the inclusion of the subcontinental neighbours.  
    A group photo at the SCO summit in Russia in 2015. Photo: Reuters Pakistan and India both currently hold observer status at SCO. The decision, in principle, to grant Pakistan the membership was taken by the SCO Heads of States meeting at Ufa, Russia in 2015.
    The prime minister will also attend the inaugural ceremony of the International Expo 2017, in which more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, are participating. 


  10. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said on Thursday that Pakistan has serious concerns over the growing tension between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
    Speaking at the weekly briefing at the Foreign Office, he said Pakistan wants a coalition of Muslim countries.
    On the Indian violations at the Line of Control, he remarked that India has been risking the peace and stability of the region.
    He said that Pakistan strongly condemns the atrocities perpetrated by Indian Forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).
    He said Indian barbarism cannot suppress the Kashmiri people`s just struggle for right to self-determination.
    ?How can slogans chanted by a 15-year-old boy post a threat to India?? he asked.
    Recently, about nine Kashmiris have been martyred in IOK, he said, adding that atrocities are being carried out against university students and other innocent citizens. India is trying to move the attention from its human rights violations in Kashmir, he said, adding that India is just deepening the rift between Pakistan and India.
    Speaking about recent media reports regarding development of Chinese airbases in Pakistan, he said that the Chinese government have released a clarification over the matter. He added that he does not want to share more details in the media briefing.
    To ensure regional stability, Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to avoid elements which tend to sabotage the relationship they share, he added.


  11. Waqas Dar
    Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav ISLAMABAD: A five-member legal team reached The Hague on Thursday in relation to the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
    According to sources, Pakistan will present the names of two former chief justices, Nasir-ul-Mulk and Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, and one ex-attorney general, Makhdoom Ali, for the ad hoc judge position from its side in the ICJ.
    The ICJ will post one out of the three suggested people as the ad hoc judge from Pakistan's side, while that from India's side is already appointed at the court.
    ICJ stays execution of Indian spy Jadhav pending final decision
    Pakistan shall take all measures to ensure Jadhav isn't executed till court's final decision: ICJ
    As per the ICJ rules, if the citizen of a state party is not a judge in the court then they can get an ad hoc judge appointed on the panel hearing the case.
    The meeting will be held at around 3pm Pakistan time, where the Pakistani legal team, headed by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, will meet ICJ President Ronny Abraham. The next date of hearing over the case will also be decided at the meeting. 
    The hearings over Jadhav's case were held in ICJ on May 15 and then on May 18 after India approached the court against Pakistan, accusing the country of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The move came after Pakistan handed a death sentence to Jadhav in April and denied India consular access to him.


  12. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: A five-member legal team reached The Hague on Thursday over the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav's case in International Court of Justice (ICJ).
    According to sources, Pakistan will present the names of two former chief justices, Nasir-ul-Mulk and Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, and one ex-attorney general, Makhdoom Ali, for the ad hoc judge from its side in ICJ.
    The ICJ will post one out of the three suggested people as the ad hoc judge from Pakistan's side, while that from India's side is already appointed at the court.
    As per the ICJ rules, if the citizen of a state party is not a judge in the court then they can get an ad hoc judge appointed on the panel hearing the case.
    The meeting will start at 3PM Pakistan time, where the Pakistani legal team, headed by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, will meet ICJ President Ronny Abraham. The next date of hearing over the case will also be decided at the meeting. 
    The hearings over Jadhav's case were held in ICJ on May 15 and then May 18, after India approached the court against Pakistan, accusing the country of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The move came after Pakistan handed death sentence to Jadhav in April and denied India consular access to him.




  13. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/fa89d30cbd9ff4f58c0438ebae08fb95.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgODozNDowMiBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPUVxcy9pZXE0ZTFQWU5UMHZYZ0VrS2c9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    LONDON: Polling is under way for Britain?s snap general election which will shape the United Kingdom?s future as it leaves the European Union.

    Prime Minister Theresa May, who came into power without a national vote last year after David Cameron´s resignation following the Brexit vote, called for a three-year-early election for June 8, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union by bolstering support for her Brexit plan.
    If May does not handsomely beat the 12-seat majority her predecessor Cameron won in 2015, her electoral gamble will have failed. When she called the election, polls showed she was as much as 23 percentage points ahead. However, the lead has shrunk substantially since then.
    The polls are open from 7am (0600 GMT) until 10pm (2100 GMT) on June 8. There are about 47 million registered voters across the United Kingdom.
    Security for the voting day was reviewed following the recent London attack, which left at least eight dead, with the city's Metropolitan Police force implementing a "specialist and highly flexible operation" which it said could be deployed as needed.
    An exit poll will give an indication of the outcome, although final results will not emerge until early Friday.
    The options
    The main parties across the whole of Britain are the Conservatives (centre-right), led by May, and Labour (left), led by Jeremy Corbyn, followed by the Liberal Democrats (centre-left), the UK Independence Party (populist) and the Greens (left).
    The Scottish Nationalists (left), Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru (left) and four parties from Northern Ireland also won seats at the last general election in 2015.


    [embed_video2 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/7351112965f382df99a7bdee1904c861.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgODo0MjozNSBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPVovM2lUay9UM05EWUd4ZCtjWTQ5V3c9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] Pakistani-British contesting polls

    More than 40 men and women of Pakistani origin are taking part in the elections. Of these, around 31 are from the mainstream parties such as Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats while the rest are from smaller parties or contesting as independents.
    A research by Geo News correspondents showed that the Labour Party has given tickets to 13 British Pakistanis; Liberal Democrats to 11 candidates; six candidates for the Conservative; one from Scottish National Party (SNP); three for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and one for the Green Party.
    Labour has given tickets to the highest number of candidates with a high chance of winning on safe Labour strongholds or relatively safe seats.
    ´Little confidence´
    It is the third time Britain has gone to the polls in two years, twice for a general election and once for the EU referendum, and voter fatigue appeared to be an issue among the early voters.
    "I don´t think it has really been a campaign, we don´t know anything about what they are going to do about Brexit, it´s been pointless really," said Joe Kerney, 53, at a polling station in Hackney, east London.
    "I have little confidence in anybody," added voter Simon Bolton, 41. "I think we lack quality in terms of who we can choose, it is very limited."
    The election is May´s first since taking office after Britons voted by 52 percent to leave the European Union.
    Predictions
    Opinion polls reveal the outcome could be a lot tighter than had been predicted when May announced the vote on April 18.
    Although surveys show the gap between the main two political parties narrowing, May´s position as prime minister seems secure.
    Polls initially supported her gamble, giving her Conservative Party a double-digit lead over its nearest rival, the main opposition Labour Party.
    However, the Conservatives´ advantage has eroded over the campaign, with pollster Survation giving the ruling party just a one point lead over Labour on June 4.
    Another poll, released a few days earlier by YouGov, even suggested the Conservatives could fall short of a majority, meaning they would need the support of another party to govern.
    Electoral process
    There are 650 constituencies across the UK, meaning 326 MPs are needed for an absolute majority in parliament´s lower House of Commons.
    Each constituency is won on a first-past-the-post basis, meaning the candidate with the most votes in that seat becomes its MP. Despite the focus on the party leaders, voters are not directly choosing their prime minister, only their local MP.
    A parliament is elected for a maximum of five years, meaning the next general election must be held by June 2022 at the latest. 


  14. Waqas Dar
    LONDON: India, confident after a winning start in the Champions Trophy, take on Sri Lanka at The Oval on Thursday (today).

    Sri Lanka, left depleted after their captain Angelo Mathews was forced out of the earlier part of the tournament with an injury, would hope for a boost with his expected return against India.
    India captain Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has told his teammates not to get carried away by the praise that has come their way since they beat Pakistan.
    "Sometimes, starting with the tournament, creating momentum as a team, you can misfield, you can get overexcited," he said.
    "I don't think when you are playing good cricket, you should look too much into the praise factor.
    "At this moment we are playing some good cricket but that doesn't mean that we play with arrogance... In this sport, anyone can upset anyone on their given day... you certainly cannot even think of taking anyone lightly."
    India are currently at the top of the group due to their superior run rate.
    Squads




  15. Waqas Dar
    British PM Theresa May's personal authority is at stake after a campaign that saw her lead in opinion polls contract. Photo: REUTERS/file  British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing the voters Thursday in an election she called to strengthen her hand in looming Brexit talks, with her personal authority at stake after a campaign that saw her lead in opinion polls contract.
    A final flurry of opinion polls gave May's Conservatives a lead ranging between five and 12 percentage points over the main opposition Labour Party, suggesting she would increase her majority - but not win the landslide foreseen when she called the election seven weeks ago.
    "If we get Brexit right, we can build a Britain that is more prosperous and more secure, a Britain in which prosperity and opportunity is shared by all," May said in a last appeal to voters to trust her to "knuckle down and get the job done".
    After becoming prime minister without an election taking place in the turmoil that followed last year's EU referendum, May wants a personal mandate and a parliamentary majority bigger than the one she inherited from predecessor David Cameron.
    Basing her campaign on the slogan of "strong and stable leadership", she has said she alone could face the 27 other EU leaders and clinch a deal that would give Britain control over immigration policy while ensuring favorable trading terms.
    VIEWS FROM BRUSSELS
    May's campaign has not gone to plan, and as the poll leads of 20 points or more she was enjoying when she called the early election in April have shrunk, talk of a landslide victory has faded and her personal standing has taken a hit.
    As a result, the extent of her control over her fractious party and of her margin for maneuver going into the Brexit talks will hinge on the size of her majority, and on whether it is perceived to be a significant improvement on Cameron's.
    Provided she wins, she will have averted at least one risk: by pushing back the date of the following election to 2022 rather than 2020 as originally planned, she has ensured she will not face crunch time in the Brexit talks at the same time as an election.
    Some in the EU are hoping May does increase her majority, on the basis that the main risk for the bloc is a collapse in talks, and that is more easily avoided with a British government that is not vulnerable at home.
    "We need a government strong enough to negotiate," a senior EU lawmaker told Reuters this week.
    But others have sought to downplay the impact of the election regardless of the outcome, suggesting that it was little more than a domestic political sideshow.
    ?Maybot?
    May's troubles began on May 18, when she announced a new policy on care for the elderly that quickly proved unpopular. She backtracked days later, prompting opposition critics to pour scorn on her central claim to offer strong leadership.
    Opponents were quick to remind voters that May had campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU before embracing Brexit after the referendum, and that she had insisted for months an election would not be in the national interest before calling one.
    May has reacted by sticking to her campaign messages, endlessly repeating the same slogans and appearing mostly at tightly controlled events - prompting many in the media to deride her as an uninspiring "Maybot".


  16. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Nehal Hashmi on Thursday said he was addressing Bani Gala?s occupants and not the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) investigating the Panama Leaks case in his recent controversial speech.
    He was referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, whose chairman, Imran Khan, resides in Bani Gala, Islamabad. 
    Hashmi had submitted his resignation as a PML-N senator after instructions from the PML-N leadership following his recent controversial remarks against the judiciary.
    Against party wishes, Nehal Hashmi takes back resignation from Senate
    Former PML-N leader had recently resigned in light of party directions following controversial speech
    As a result, Hashmi ? who was also suspended from the party ? had submitted his resignation to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani. On Monday, Hashmi failed to show up in Rabbani's office to personally verify his resignation, as asked by Rabbani.
    ?Others have made similar speeches but no action was taken against them,? Hashmi said in Geo News? programme Aaj Shahzaib Khanzada Kay Sath.
    Rabbani approves Nehal Hashmi?s request to take back his resignation
    Rabbani said Hashmi has admitted he tendered his resignation under duress and unusual circumstances
    The senator claimed that the social media has targeted him only because he belongs to a middle-class family.
    According to a written request submitted to the Senate chairman, Hashmi said he submitted his resignation amid intense pressure. He claimed that he wants to continue serving his duties as a senator.
    The speech
    In a speech to workers in Karachi at a Youm-e-Takbeer event, which went viral on May 31, Hashmi had threatened the prime minister's unidentified 'enemies'.
    Before losing his position, Hashmi was the party's general secretary for Sindh.
    "The one you are investigating is the PM's son," roared Hashmi. "Those investigating us [must know] we will observe your day of judgment,? he stated further.
    The statements were taken to be directed at the judiciary and the Joint Investigation Team probing the prime minister's family in light of the Supreme Court's April 20 judgment in the Panama case.
    Nehal Hashmi's contempt hearing adjourned till June 16
    Citing reluctance from lawyers, former PML-N leader asks for time to find counsel
    In the video, Hashmi also lashed out at PTI leader Imran Khan, casting doubts over the money trail of his Bani Gala estate. ?We will reduce the space in this country for your kids and your family," he added.
    Later, the prime minister suspended Hashmi?s party membership and directed him to tender his resignation from the Senate.

    On June 3, the Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf also initiated action against Hashmi, asking the Sindh government to file a criminal case against Hashmi. Following this, a case was registered against him at the Bahadurabad Police Station in Karachi.


  17. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/88ebb6026ee3c26cbe65c2287b8960e5.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNzo1Nzo0OCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPXo2K05HMENTekJkTDVacVdUUTl6REE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] RAWALPINDI: An operation by security forces in Mastung, Balochistan denied the establishment of any direct or indirect Daesh-organised infrastructure in the country, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

    In a statement regarding the week-old incident, the ISPR said security forces, based on actionable intelligence, conducted an operation in Mastung from June 1 till June 3.
    Mastung battle: Military says Daesh headquarters in Pakistan destroyed
    ?It took us some five days to tear down the headquarter in Mastung, Balochistan,? a senior military official says
    The operation was conducted after intelligence reports were received of 10-15 terrorists of banned Lashkar-e-Jhangivi Al-Almi hiding in caves near Isplingi (Koh-i-Siah/Koh-i-Maran) ? some 36 kilometres (km) south east of Mastung, said the ISPR.
    The outfit was reportedly making efforts for communication with Daesh and intended to facilitate the establishment of the latter?s foothold in Balochistan. 
    A clearing operation of the area ? spread over 10km ? started early morning on June 1 after helicopter landings, and continued for three days, the statement informed.

    Holed up in caves, the terrorists "offered stiff resistance" while a 250-metre-long gorge with steep heights and multiple caves made the clearance operation difficult and challenging, the ISPR explained.

    Intelligence and security forces personnel fought valiantly to clear the hideout by June 3, the statement claimed. 
    In the exchange of fire, 12 "hardcore" terrorists, including two suicide bombers, were killed, said the ISPR, adding that the suicide bomber who attacked Senate Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri on May 12 was sent from the same hideout.
    JUI-F observes strike today over Mastung blast; FIR registered
    27 killed, over 30 injured in attack, including JUI-F's Senate Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri
    Five security forces personnel, including two officers, were injured in the operation.
    During the operation, security forces destroyed an IED-making facility and recovered 50 kilogrammess of explosives, three suicide jackets, 18 grenades, six rocket launchers, four light machine guns, 18 small machine guns, four sniper rifles, 38 communication sets, and a huge cache of ammunition.
    Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has appreciated the efforts of the Southern Command [based in Balochistan], intelligence agencies and all the troops for the successful operation.


  18. Waqas Dar
    The South Indian beauty Shruti Hasan is one of the few Bollywood actresses who proved herself in a very short time.

    The Ramaiya Vastavaiya actress was recently being trolled on social media for allegedly getting a lip job done.
    Shruti Hasan who got infuriated by the remarks, showed her resent while talking to Indian media.
    Shruti said, ?It?s my face, my body. What I do with it is nobody?s business. What people write about me on social media does not bother me. I am not answerable to anyone.?
    The actress was also body-shamed in the recent past when she gained weight, which was exclusively for her character in an upcoming film. 


  19. Waqas Dar
    Sixty-eight-year-old Jeremy Corbyn has championed human rights, leftist and anti-war causes. Photo: AFP/file LONDON: He is adored by grassroots Labour followers, rejected by many of the party´s lawmakers and branded by the conservative tabloid press as a threat to the nation.
    Today, Jeremy Corbyn´s future -- and possibly that of the venerable Labour Party itself -- will be determined by one of Britain´s most extraordinary elections.
    A 68-year-old socialist stalwart who has never held major office, opposition Labour party leader Corbyn began the campaign as rank outsider, trailing Prime Minister Theresa May on the existential question of Brexit.
    With many voters originally deeming him weak and doubting his ability to handle the task of leaving the European Union, Corbyn was handed a gift by the fickle gods of politics.
    A misstep by May over her policy for funding care for the elderly -- a "dementia tax," as the media called it -- let him cast her as cold and uncaring.
    Relaxed and tie-less, he scored gains in the crucial arena of television, coming across as an amiable underdog making a principled stand for society´s poorest.
    Then, after terrorist attacks in London and Manchester killed dozens of people, Corbyn went on the offensive over May´s six-year past as interior minister, when thousands of police were axed from the payroll.
    Opinion polls that initially predicted a Labour Party wipeout now see May winning a relatively slim majority, or even no overall majority at all.
    Both outcomes could see Corbyn stay at his party´s helm, to the consternation of critics who mutter that this would doom Labour to the twilight of perpetual opposition.
    Against the odds
    But Corbyn is no stranger to upsetting the odds.
    In 2015, with Labour in disarray after an unexpected election defeat, Corbyn´s tilt for the party leadership was widely dismissed as hopeless.
    Instead, he swept to a stunning landslide victory through the support of leftist grassroots followers.
    The 2016 Brexit referendum saw Corbyn vilified for lip-service-only support for the Remain campaign.
    Angry moderates tried to oust him as party leader, only to be thwarted, again, by the popular party vote.
    The battlefield experience may well have helped Corbyn, suggests Tim Bale, a professor at Queen Mary University of London.
    "Corbyn has fought and won two leadership campaigns in two years, seems to have benefited from that experience and is at least authentic rather than, like Mrs May, robotic," Bale told AFP.
    To the conservative tabloids, Corbyn is an easy bogeyman -- in their eyes, a symbol of Britain´s 1970s decline, of vapid radical posturing.
    His past utterances have been hauled out for present-day scrutiny; not least his position on security in the wake of the terror attacks.
    Protest politician?
    For such critics, Corbyn is a classic protest politician who finds it easier to agitate than to take up the messy business of exercising power.
    Corbyn hails from an impeccable socialist background -- his parents met as activists in Britain during the Spanish Civil War -- and he worked for trade unions before being elected MP for Islington, a leftwing stronghold, in 1983.
    He never took on ministerial duties during Labour´s 1997-2010 spell in power.
    Instead, he remained on the backbenches, championing human rights, leftist and anti-war causes.
    He often rebelled against the party line, endearing himself to young voters sickened by the compromises of mainstream politics.
    Bearded and teetotal, he dislikes wearing a tie, does not own a car and prefers to cycle, porridge-fuelled.
    His hobbies include making jam, allotment gardening and photographing manhole covers.
    His third wife Laura Alvarez is 20 years his junior and runs a company importing coffee from her native Mexico.
    They have a cat named El Gato -- Spanish for "the cat", which he sardonically claims has "socialist tendencies" as it shares its food with the neighbours´ feline.
    Despite his enduring appeal to the leftwing faithful, Corbyn has had to moderate his views for the Labour election manifesto.
    Britain would therefore retain its monarchy, nuclear deterrent, NATO membership and private retail banks under a Labour government.
    But if he makes it into Downing Street, Corbyn insists he will not give up his cherished allotment.
    "You do your job better if you give yourself time to collect your thoughts and do something else," he said.


  20. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: A six-member Qatari delegation reached the federal capital late Wednesday night, sources said.
    The delegation that will meet high-level officials at the Prime Minister House is expected to discuss the recent situation in the Gulf region.
    Before reaching Islamabad, the officials had landed in Lahore where they met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. They conveyed to him the King of Qatar's message that asked Pakistan to play its role to resolve the diplomatic crisis in the Gulf.
    The delegation is headed by the Qatar ameer's secretary, Abdul Hadi Mana Al Hajri.
    Recently, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, among other states, cut off all ties with Qatar over its alleged support of terrorism and extremism. 
    The four countries have also suspended all flights to and from Qatar, pulled their ambassadors from Doha and ordered Qatari diplomats to leave.



  21. Waqas Dar
    Iran's foreign minister on Thursday rejected Donald Trump's condolences for the deadly attacks in Tehran. Photo: Reuters/file  Iran's foreign minister on Thursday rejected Donald Trump's condolences for deadly attacks in Tehran, calling the US president's words repugnant.
    Trump had said he prayed for the victims of Wednesday's attacks that were claimed by Daesh, but added that "states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote."
    Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on his Twitter account: "Repugnant White House statement .... Iranian people reject such US claims of friendship."
    Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran, killing at least 13 people in an unprecedented assault that Iran's Revolutionary Guards blamed on regional rival Saudi Arabia.
    However, Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack. 


  22. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/8b9f8d94b9cf99f963e72593bd45438c.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNjoyODoyMCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPVZSdkUyM2JTSFpWVXIwSTZGeGxidUE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    LONDON: Polling is under way for Britain?s snap general election which will shape the United Kingdom?s future as it leaves the European Union.

    Prime Minister Theresa May, who came into power without a national vote last year after David Cameron´s resignation following the Brexit vote, called for a three-year-early election for June 8, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union by bolstering support for her Brexit plan.
    If May does not handsomely beat the 12-seat majority her predecessor Cameron won in 2015, her electoral gamble will have failed. When she called the election, polls showed she was as much as 23 percentage points ahead. However, the lead has shrunk substantially since then. 
    The polls are open from 7am (0600 GMT) until 10pm (2100 GMT) on June 8. There are about 47 million registered voters across the United Kingdom.
    Security for the voting day was reviewed following the recent London attack, which left at least eight dead, with the city's Metropolitan Police force implementing a "specialist and highly flexible operation" which it said could be deployed as needed.
    An exit poll will give an indication of the outcome, although final results will not emerge until early Friday.

    The options
    The main parties across the whole of Britain are the Conservatives (centre-right), led by May, and Labour (left), led by Jeremy Corbyn, followed by the Liberal Democrats (centre-left), the UK Independence Party (populist) and the Greens (left).
    The Scottish Nationalists (left), Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru (left) and four parties from Northern Ireland also won seats at the last general election in 2015.

    [embed_video2 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/ff7f0d952f19515962d763adf9d026b1.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNjo0NTozOSBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPUttRUlhRDI2N3JLK05DSkVnOWQ1dkE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] Pakistani-British contesting polls
    More than 40 men and women of Pakistani origin are taking part in the elections. Of these, around 31 are from the mainstream parties such as Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats while the rest are from smaller parties or contesting as independents.
    A research by Geo News correspondents showed that the Labour Party has given tickets to 13 British Pakistanis; Liberal Democrats to 11 candidates; six candidates for the Conservative; one from Scottish National Party (SNP); three for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and one for the Green Party.
    Labour has given tickets to the highest number of candidates with a high chance of winning on safe Labour strongholds or relatively safe seats.
    Predictions
    Opinion polls reveal the outcome could be a lot tighter than had been predicted when May announced the vote on April 18.
    Although surveys show the gap between the main two political parties narrowing, May´s position as prime minister seems secure.
    Polls initially supported her gamble, giving her Conservative Party a double-digit lead over its nearest rival, the main opposition Labour Party.

    However, the Conservatives´ advantage has eroded over the campaign, with pollster Survation giving the ruling party just a one point lead over Labour on June 4.
    Another poll, released a few days earlier by YouGov, even suggested the Conservatives could fall short of a majority, meaning they would need the support of another party to govern.
    Electoral process 
    There are 650 constituencies across the UK, meaning 326 MPs are needed for an absolute majority in parliament´s lower House of Commons.
    Each constituency is won on a first-past-the-post basis, meaning the candidate with the most votes in that seat becomes its MP. Despite the focus on the party leaders, voters are not directly choosing their prime minister, only their local MP.
    A parliament is elected for a maximum of five years, meaning the next general election must be held by June 2022 at the latest. 


  23. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif?s younger son, Hassan Nawaz, reached the secretariat of the Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Thursday morning to record his statement.

    Strict security arrangements are in place at the JIT Secretariat, which is housed at the Federal Judicial Academy in the capital. 
    Panama JIT questions Hassan Nawaz for seven hours
    Prime Minister's younger son recently returned from London after being summoned by probe team
    Hassan ? a London-based businessman ? earlier appeared before the JIT on June 2 and was questioned by the probe team for around seven hours.
    He did not speak to the media after his questioning.
    Meanwhile, the premier?s elder son, Hussain, is expected to appear before the JIT on Friday. This will be his fifth summoning by the JIT, which is investigating the prime minister?s family?s global financial dealings in light of the Supreme Court?s April 20 judgment in the Panama Papers case.
    Panama case: Supreme Court satisfied with JIT's second interim report
    High-profile probe team has spent 30 days investigating the premier's family's global money trail
    On Wednesday, the Supreme Court special bench overseeing the JIT?s probe had expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation after the JIT submitted its mid-term report.
    The JIT, formed on May 6, has 60 days to complete its probe and submit its final report to the Supreme Court. 


  24. Waqas Dar
    Amazon.com Inc has stepped up lending to third-party sellers on its site who are looking to grow their business, a company executive said in an interview on Wednesday.
    The e-commerce giant has doled out more than $1 billion in small loans to sellers in the past 12 months, compared with more than $1.5 billion it lent from 2011 through 2015, said Peeyush Nahar, vice president for Amazon Marketplace. Sellers have used the money to expand their inventory or discount items on Amazon, he said.
    Boosting sales for third-party merchants is lucrative for Amazon, which takes a cut of transactions on its site.
    It also has made a business out of handling more leg work for sellers, too. They pay Amazon to fulfill their orders and boost their placement in search results, without which sellers might struggle to grab shoppers' attention.
    More than 20,000 small businesses have received a loan from Amazon and more than half of those have taken a second loan from the company, it said.
    Loans range from $1,000 to $750,000. Sellers have said interest rates are between 6 percent and 14 percent.
    Rivals, including eBay Inc and Wal-Mart Stores Inc, now are doubling down on their marketplace businesses, but loans may help keep sellers close to Amazon's orbit.
    "We do tell them it's to help them grow on the Amazon Marketplace," Nahar said.
    Traditional lenders shied away from small merchants after the 2008 financial crisis, which created an opening for other sources of financing. While this exposes Amazon to additional credit risk, the company has near real-time data on sellers' businesses and access to their customer reviews, which are helpful in deciding whether to make a loan.
    The loan program is invitation-only.
    Amazon has issued loans to sellers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan.
    The company has said it would expand to other countries where it operates marketplaces, such as Canada, France, and China. On the rollout's timing, Nahar said, "Stay tuned."


  25. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/ba802729a2d723fd7b2e4fa70e401448.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNToxMDozMCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPUV5cm9IWkh6cW42WUFCcTVuaFByTWc9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif departed from the Nur Khan Airbase today to attend the two-day meeting of the Heads of State Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kazakhstan.

    The premier is accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz. 
    On the sidelines of the two-day summit, the prime minister will be holding bilateral meetings with the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as the Mongolian and Russian presidents.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be attending the conference, as India too will be granted full membership of the SCO.
    Sources said a chance meeting between Sharif and Modi is possible on the sidelines of the summit. 

    [embed_video2 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/9d383f174c590e433d8be0d032cadeb3.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni84LzIwMTcgNToxMjo1NyBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPXZCK0NmK0VXWE53UDcxUXV5cmdYREE9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    With the inclusion of Pakistan and India, the SCO will have a total of eight states as permanent members ? after China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Other observer states and governments and international organisations are also part of the group. 

    The group will then represent nearly half of the world?s population after the inclusion of the subcontinental neighbours.  
    A group photo at the SCO summit in Russia in 2015. Photo: Reuters Pakistan and India both currently hold observer status at SCO. The decision, in principle, to grant Pakistan the membership was taken by the SCO Heads of States meeting at Ufa, Russia in 2015.
    The prime minister will also attend the inaugural ceremony of the International Expo 2017, in which more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, are participating. 


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