Pakistan/South Asia Khabrein (news)

Hello, People...Sorry for being so late

It's Wednesdays here in Karachi....11:32 p.m as I am writing.

hmmm.....

Interesting message circulating in Pak social media....

India has imposed 200% duty on Pakistani products except one thing .. that is Khewra salt. .. which is very very essential for them.

Khewra Salt is used in all religious activities. .. They made an agreement with Pakistan in 1947 that Pakistan will export this salt in war & in peace. This is the treaty between the two countries like the water treaty that no country will stop the water of each other. .. but they did. .. They are
getting this salt through Wahga border & exporting all over the world by labelling A’s Indian origin product ..

They have named it Himaliyan salt. ...

They make multiple other products with this salt. . Which have numerous benefits. . This pink salt mine is only at Khewra (Pakistan )
AND there is no other pink salt mine any where in the world. .

This was discovered by Alexender the great 300 BC years ago. . The worst part is that shipment to New Delhi is cheaper than Karachi

. . India earns billions of dollar. ..

.. while Pakistan makes just a few million by exporting through wagha border. ..

what a pity!

PLS FORWARD THIS AS MUCH AS U CAN SO GOVT OF PAKISTAN IMPOSE DUTY ON IT

Rafales could have downed half of Pakistan's F-16s in dogfight: ex-IAF chief

The remarks come amid claims by Indian opposition leaders about major corruption in the $8.7 billion deal for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) that was signed in 2016 and that Prime Minister Modi claimed left the IAF high and dry during the confrontation with Pakistan in late February.

https://nation.com.pk/14-Mar-2019/rafales-could-have-downed-half-of-pakistans-f-16s-in-dogfight-ex-iaf-chief

but the pilot would be still Indians..hence problem continues :mrgreen:

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Kartarpur corridor talks between Pakistan, India positive: FO

LAHORE: Pakistan and India held "positive talks in a conducive environment" on the draft agreement of Kartarpur corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India's Gurdaspur, the Foreign Office spokesperson said on Thursday.

Director General South Asia and SAARC Dr Mohammad Faisal, who led the Pakistani delegation during the talks in Attari in Indian state of Punjab, told reporters upon returning to the Wagah border that the meeting was "powerful".

"It was a powerful meeting, [the two sides] held positive talks," the spokesperson informed, adding that another round of talks will be held at the Wagah border on April 2.

There were differences on certain aspects, the details of which cannot be revealed at the moment, the spokesperson added.

The Pakistani delegation, which also comprised members of a technical team, had arrived in Attari via the Wagah border earlier today to discuss issues relating to the corridor, its construction, road, and other technicalities.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/230997-kartarpur-corridor-pakistan-india-to-hold-talks-in-new-delhi-today

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Imran Khan....A highly educated person, lived a glamorous life in west, has something to say....

Shocked and strongly condemn the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack on mosques. This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion. Prayers go to the victims and their families.

I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 bn Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim. This has been done deliberately to also demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles.

We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch. Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognized with a national award.

https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?lang=en

When heroes emerge from tragedies...

As per the news sources and Foreign Office reports, nine Pakistani nationals were killed in New Zealand Massacre.

Christchurch attack: Pakistani victim laid to rest in Karachi

AFP Published: March 25, 2019

KARACHI: Hundreds gathered to pay their final respects in Karachi on Monday as Syed Areeb Ahmad was laid to rest.

Ahmad was one of nine Pakistani nationals murdered in the New Zealand city earlier the month, when a white supremacist gunman killed 50 Muslim worshippers in two mosques.

Ahmad’s body was flown into Karachi and transported to a relative’s house where family and friends gathered before heading to the cemetery for the burial.

“It was very painful for the parents and all of us to wait. His funeral is taking place now that is a bit of relief for us,” said Ahmad’s uncle Aleemullah Khan. “But his father is in so much agony as Areeb was his only son and the provider for the family,” he added.

The other eight Pakistani victims were buried in New Zealand, according to the Foreign Office.

Pakistan posthumously awarded Naeem Rashid, who tried to tackle the gunman before being shot dead, with the order of bravery during Pakistan Day celebrations on March 23.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1936818/1-christchurch-attack-body-pakistani-victim-arrives-karachi/

RIP to all victims. You are in better place than this world.

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Asia's largest oil, gas reserves may soon be found near Karachi: PM

By Rizwan GhilzaiPublished: March 25, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced Asia’s largest oil and gas reserves may soon be found in Karachi’s offshore waters, Express News reported.

In a talk with journalists, the premier said there have been positive indicators in the exploration process and the nation would likely be hearing major news on this front within the next three weeks.

He urged the nation to pray for the success of the exploration efforts and said the development could bring about a massive change in Pakistan’s fortunes.

PM Imran further told the journalists that it was possible that India could sponsor a terrorist attack in Pakistan before the start of its general elections next month. “We cannot let our guard down. We have to remain alert,” said the premier.

After nine years, offshore drilling begins in Karachi ultra-deep waters

Speaking on other regional matters, Imran confirmed that the Afghan Taliban wanted to hold a meeting with him in Islamabad. “The government of Afghanistan was opposed to the meeting which is why decided against it. The Afghan government wants to settle matters with the Taliban on its own terms.”

The prime minister also spoke about US President Donald Trump’s recent comments about Pakistan. “We have received a message from the Trump administration but there has been no decision on a meeting yet.”

He said the US had been giving Pakistan to fight its war but Islamabad had now changed that policy.

The bulk of the premier’s interaction focused on domestic issues, with PM Imran categorically stating that his government has nothing to fear if the country’s opposition launches a mass protest campaign.

“We have tried to facilitate the opposition in every way possible but their demands continue to grow. If they want to launch protests to hide their corruption, we will let them. Their campaign will never bear any result because the people of Pakistan do not support the opposition parties.”

The prime minister said criticism of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was on the rise because the anti-graft body was pursuing cases against those who considered themselves powerful and above Pakistan’s laws.

“The PTI-led government has no influence over NAB. In the past, NAB was the reason there was rampant corruption in Pakistan but its functioning has now completely transformed,” said Imran.

“Let it be known that there will now be no NROs or deals for people looking to evade justice.”

On Nawaz Sharif’s predicament, the premier said there was no law that empowers the government to send him abroad for treatment. “He [Nawaz] started from a single factory and built 30 more. However, in his 30-year political career, he failed to establish a single hospital where he would feel comfortable being treated.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1936912/1-asias-largest-oil-gas-reserves-found-near-karachi-pm/

Rafale fighters will ensure Pakistan comes nowhere near the LoC or International Border: IAF chief ACM Dhanoa

The first Rafale jet will arrive in Indian in September 2019.

Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive a massive boost in its combat capability with the induction of the Rafale fighter and Pakistan will not come anywhere near the Line of Control or the international border, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said on Monday.

Calling the twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Rafale jet superior to any fighter in the arsenal of either the Pakistani Air Force or China's People's Liberation Army Air Force, ACM Dhanoa pointed out that once "the Rafale comes in, the deterrence of our air defence will increase manifold". The first Rafale jet will arrive in Indian in September 2019.

"I have said earlier also (that) it is giving you a tremendous capability jump. It is superior to all the aircraft in the inventory of both our adversaries. Once Rafale comes in it will ensure the deterrence of our air defence will increase manifold and they will not come anywhere near our LoC," said the IAF top gun.

India is buying 36 Rafale fighters from France's Dassault Aviation a part of its effort to modernise the IAF arsenal. While the first Rafale will join the IAF in September 2019, the 36th jet will land in India in 2022.

The Rafale was the star attraction during February 20-24, 2019, Aero India show at Bengaluru's Yelahanka Air Force Station. The French Air Force had come with three Rafale jets for the biennial show.

At 15.3 metres long with a width of 10.9 metres and 5.34 metres high, the Rafale is not the biggest fighter but one of the most versatile 4++ generation aircraft in the world currently. The empty aircraft weight of Rafale is 9,500 kg while a fully loaded and the armed plane will weigh 24,500 kg which can carry out air superiority, air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence missions.

The Rafale has 14 hardpoints out of which five can carry drop tanks and heavy ordnance. With the capability to carry missiles and bombs weighing up to 9000 kgs, the Rafale can operate the MICA air-to-air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, in their IR (heat-seeking) and EM (active radar homing) versions. The MICA missile can also be used within visual range (WVR) too.

The other weapons that Rafale can fire are the HAMMER (Highly Agile and Maneuverable Munition Extended Range) modular, rocket-boosted air-to-ground precision-guided weapon series, fitted with INS/GPS or INS/GPS/IIR (imaging infra-red) guidance kits, or with INS/GPS/laser guidance kit.

The SCALP long-range stand-off missile, AM39 EXOCET anti-ship missile, laser-guided bombs, 2500 rounds/minute NEXTER 30M791 30 mm internal cannon as well as the upcoming METEOR long-range air-to-air missile which can hit targets over 100 kilometres away.

https://zeenews.india.com/india/rafale-fighters-will-ensure-pakistan-comes-nowhere-near-the-loc-or-international-border-iaf-acm-birender-singh-dhanoa-2190143.html