Pakistan/South Asia Khabrein (news)

Imran Khan launches massive tree-plantation drive in Pakistan
"Today we launch our tree plantation drive #Plant4Pakistan across the entire country," he said in a message on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a massive tree-plantation drive to plant 10 billion saplings in the country in the next five years. Khan planted a sapling in Haripur near Islamabad under the ‘Plant 4 Pakistan' drive to make Pakistan greener and environment friendly.

"Today we launch our tree plantation drive #Plant4Pakistan across the entire country," he said in a message on Twitter.

"I want everyone to join this #GreenPakistan drive so we can counter the twin threats of climate change and pollution confronting our future generations."

Talking to media after launching the plantation drive, Khan said that Pakistan would become a desert if timely action was not taken to plant trees.
The government said that 1.5 million saplings were planted on the first day under the initiative.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/imran-khan-launches-massive-tree-plantation-drive-in-pakistan-2909011.html

Plant 4 Pakistan Campaign 2K18 Feat. CRAZY LEAKS (GLOBAL TOURS)

This is the song of Khan's party, PTI, which rocked the boat of politics in Pakistan

"Rok Sako To Rok Lo, tabdeeli ayi hai - New Pti Song; imran ismail, Shahzaman and jawad kahlown"

Translation: Stop it if you can, Change has come.

Tabdeeli = Change

Imran Ismail, a member of Khan's party, one of the three in this video, is now governor of Sindh province of Pakistan

He has just recently announced to open governor house for public

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As promised, Governor house lawn opens for families to come and use. Tours will be available to schools, it’s going to be very interesting for students. More to come

https://twitter.com/ImranIsmailPTI/status/1037343900904632320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1037343900904632320&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brecorder.com%2F2018%2F09%2F06%2F437424%2Fsindh-governor-house-to-open-doors-for-public-from-tomorrow%2F

PTI govt to open Sindh Governor House to public

ARACHI – Sindh Governor Imran Ismail announced on Wednesday to open the gates of the official residence to the public from September 16.

While speaking to the media, the Governor said that the building of Governor House was historic and the public would not only be able allowed to walk in its spacious garden but also will be permitted to enter into the historic building.

Ismail said that after assuming governorship he has been using only two rooms of the official residence and only one government vehicle unlike the protocol of previous governors which included 40 cars

The Sindh governor said that the public would be allowed to enter the premises from Gate 1 after formal identification.

The party’s nominated governors of Sindh and Punjab, Ismail and Chaudhry Sarwar, have announced to open the official residence for public and promised to use the minimum resources for themselves from the government expenditure under the austerity drive of PM Imran Khan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, after taking the oath, did not shift to the PM House but rather chose to settle in the Military Secretary’s residence.

Earlier, Ismail said that the Governor House would not be bulldozed as it is a historical building. Ismail further clarified that PTI chief Imran Khan never claimed to demolish this building.

He said that the building will be opened for the public but it is yet to be determined whether an educational institute or art gallery will be established here.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/imran-ismail-announces-to-open-sindh-governor-house-for-public-from-sep-16/

Imran Khan with Ivana Trump, first wife of US president Mr. Trump - History flashback

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/imran-khan-s-playboy-reputation-was-forged-in-britain-20lbwfcgb

India - BJP MLA promises young men he will kidnap girls they like

Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam from Mumbai’s Ghatkopar west constituency landed in a controversy on Monday night after he allegedly promised young men attending his dahi handi celebration that he would kidnap the girl they liked, even if she said no to the proposal of marriage.

“If you propose to a girl and she rejects it, you come to me with your parents. If they too like the girl, what will I do? I will kidnap her and give her to you,” Mr. Kadam told the audience.

A video of the MLA’s speech, in which he even gives his mobile number, was first shared on Twitter by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad. “How can women in this country remain safe if ruling party MLAs openly boast about kidnapping women?” asked Mr. Awhad. The NCP reacted sharply saying BJP’s ‘Ram’ has shown his real face and that is of ‘Ravana.’
‘Statement misconstrued’

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kadam said his statement was misconstrued, taken out of context and it was nothing but a joke. “If anyone is hurt by my statement, I extend my apology,” he said.

The BJP’s State unit distanced itself from the controversy with party spokesperson Madhav Bhandari saying that Mr. Kadam will himself explain his statement.

BJP’s ally Shiv Sena too slammed Mr. Kadam. Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray demanded an apology from Mr. Kadam, adding it is a disgrace that the Maharashtra Assembly has members like him.

“One BJP MLA has offered from a stage to help boys kidnap girls and marry them even against the will of the girls. I guess he believes marriage is like forming a govt. Ashamed and disgraced that he sits in the legislative assembly of Maharashtra — a land of culture & women liberty,” Mr. Thackeray tweeted. The Sena leader also demanded to know from Home Minister and CM Devendra Fadnavis as to what action will be taken against him.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra State Women’s Commission president Vijaya Rahatkar said, “The statements made by MLA Ram Kadam are controversial. He has claimed that his comments have been distorted. However, even if that is the case, one should not speak about women in this manner. Not just him, all elected representatives must have patience while they speak about women. They should speak thoughtfully and ensure that their comments do not hurt anybody’s sentiments.”

Mr. Kadam, who started his political career with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), had won the 2009 Assembly election as MNS candidate. He was suspended for four years, along with three other MNS MLAs, in the first session of the Assembly after the 2009 poll for assaulting Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi inside the Assembly hall. MNS MLAs attacked Mr. Azmi as he took oath in Hindi, while the MNS wanted every MLA in Maharashtra to take the oath in Marathi. The suspension was later revoked. He was also part of the confrontation inside the Assembly building with a policeman, along with another MLA.

He joined the BJP before the 2014 poll and was soon included in the list of State party spokespersons. On Monday, Mr. Fadnavis too had attended his dahi handi event, where Mr. Kadam went on to say that he was the ‘Hanuman’ of the CM.

Inside the Assembly, Mr. Kadam is always seen aggressively defending Mr. Fadnavis against the Opposition. In the 2018 monsoon session he demanded the resignation of Leader of Opposition for making graft allegations against Mr. Fadnavis.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/bjp-mla-promises-young-men-he-will-kidnap-girls-they-like/article24866863.ece

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Expect India To Cut Oil Imports From Iran To Zero By November, Says US

Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis held the first 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to bolster the strategic ties with India and step up defence and security collaboration.

New Delhi:

The United States does not intend to "penalise great strategic partners like India" but at the same time it expects all countries including India to cut oil imports from Iran to "zero" by November, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday.

"We have told the Indians consistently, as we have told every nation, that on November 4th the sanctions with respect to Iranian crude oil will be enforced. We will consider waivers where appropriate, but that it is our expectation that the purchases of Iranian crude oil will go to zero from every country, or sanctions will be imposed," he said.

Mr Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis held the first 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to bolster the strategic ties with India and step up defence and security collaboration.

Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil during April 2017 and January 2018 (first 10 months of 2017-18 fiscal).

Mr Pompeo told journalists travelling with him that the United States would work with India on its planned purchase of a Russian missile and air-defense system known as the S-400.

India is planning to buy five S-400 Triumf missile air defence systems from Russia for around $4.5 billion.

The purchase will violate sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) instituted by Congress on arms purchases from Russia, but lawmakers have allowed the possibility of a presidential waiver.

"There's been no decision made. But I will share that we do understand the history, right, of India's relationship with Russia and legacy systems. Our effort here, too, is not to penalise great strategic partners like India, a major defence partner.
6 COMMENTS

"The sanctions aren't intended to adversely impact countries like India. They are intended to be a - have an impact on the sanctioned country, which is Russia," the secretary of state said.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/talks-on-with-india-for-granting-waivers-from-us-sanctions-mike-pompeo-1912635

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Sri Lanka calls for boosting air, maritime linkages with Pakistan

Islamabad: The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan Major General (r) Jayanath Lokuketagodage on Thursday underlined the need to boost air and maritime linkages with Pakistan so that the cooperation in business and industry could be strengthened.

He expressed his satisfaction over the increasing cooperation between both countries in different sectors and expressed the confidence that it would witness a further boost in the days to come.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Major General (r) Jayanath Lokuketagodage said this while talking to Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt.

He hoped that Pakistan would flourish further under the leadership of Imran Khan and relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka would take a new height.

It was a matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan and Sri Lanka continue to maintain their traditionally close and mutually beneficial relations in all fields, he added.

He emphasized that with the continued commitment of the political leadership of both nations, the two countries have achieved development, progress and prosperity through mutual cooperation.

Jayanath said that the volume of bilateral trade is low despite an FTA that calls for immediate steps while the image of Pakistan portrayed in the western media is far from the ground realities, he said.

I have found Pakistanis to be very warm and hospitable people and I will never forget the love I got here for the rest of my life, he said.

At the occasion, Shahid Rasheed Butt said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy strong ties, both countries are members of Saarc and they should try to make it more effective.

Pak-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme will further strengthen the bilateral relations and will improve people-to-people contact, he said.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/365021-sri-lanka-calls-for-boosting-air-maritime-linkages-with-pakistan

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Scotland's head coach Grant Bradburn departs to become Pakistan's new fielding coach

Scotland head coach Grant Bradburn, who oversaw the famous one-day international victory over England in June, is leaving to become Pakistan’s new fielding coach.

Under Mickey Arthur, who took over in 2016, Pakistan have made huge improvements in their fielding. Steve Rixon had been Pakistan’s fielding coach but departed in June. Bradburn is credited with making Scotland the best fielding side of any Associate, as was highlighted during the six-run victory over England this year.

The departure of Bradburn is a blow for Scotland. During his four years as head coach, Scotland achieved their most successful run in history. They won their first ever game in an ICC global event, against Hong Kong in 2016, and they won their first ever one-day international against a Test nation when they beat Zimbabwe last June.

They also secured notable victories against Sri Lanka - in an unofficial ODI - Afghanistan and a tie with Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers. In that tournament, Scotland came painfully close to making next year’s World Cup; they lose by five runs in a winner-takes-all rain-reduced match against the West Indies, and were left bemoaning the lack of DRS and reserve days in the tournament.

Scotland celebrate during their ODI win over England in June Credit: Getty Images

Overall, since the start of 2017, Scotland have played 11 50-over matches against Test nations, won four and tied one - a remarkable return considering they get around eight times less ICC funding than Zimbabwe. As well as greater fitness standards, Bradburn was credited with encouraging Scotland to play more aggressively, both with the bat - they scored 371-5 against England in June - and in seeking to bowl the opposition out in ODI cricket.

After their narrow failure to make either the 2019 World Cup or the new ODI World Championship, Scotland will now place greater emphasis on T20, with World Twenty20 competitions in both 2020 and 2021. Scotland are targeting reaching the main stage in these events, which has been increased to 12 teams - from ten previously. Their replacement of Bradburn is expected to be a coach with a strong pedigree in T20.

One of Bradburn’s legacies with Scotland is the team’s greater ambition, both on and off the field. Cricket Scotland are targeting becoming the 13th Full Member of the ICC, and hope that continued success will help them win elevation.

After their victory over England, Scotland are also hopeful of greater support from the ECB in the coming years. England have discontinued their agreement to play Scotland every four years, citing a lack of time in their schedule, but Scotland hope Bradburn’s successor will still have the opportunity to play England in some form.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2018/09/06/scotlands-head-coach-grant-bradburn-departs-become-pakistans/

Indian Army is worried now that men can legally have sex with other men
Amrita Nayak Dutta

7 September, 2018

Homosexuality in the military is frowned upon in much of the world. Is the tide about to change in India?

New Delhi: The Supreme Court judgment decriminalising homosexuality is said to have got the military brass worried over what it exactly means for Indian soldiers.

Also, there is confusion, or a lack of consensus, among military law experts whether the judgment applies to Indian defence personnel, and if it does how it could impact the forces.

Laws governing the three arms of the Indian military bar homosexuality — although through euphemisms and not explicitly — and rule it a punishable offence.

The law

Just last weekend, Army chief General Bipin Rawat had summoned all Colonels and their spouses to Manekshaw Centre in Delhi and said “moral turpitude” was unpardonable.

The Supreme Court order brings the very definition of “moral turpitude” into question.

Section 45 the Army Act, 1950, talks about the “unbecoming conduct” of officers without detailing it. Section 46 (a) says any person guilty of any disgraceful conduct of a “cruel, indecent or unnatural kind” will, on conviction by court-martial, face up to seven years in jail.

Sections 45 and 46(a) of the Air Force Act, 1950, state the same.

The Navy Act, 1957, says personnel guilty of any “indecent act” can be jailed for up to two years.

One provision spells out a jail term of upto two years for officers guilty of any “scandalous or fraudulent conduct or of any conduct unbecoming the character of an officer”.

Army sources said they will have to read the judgment before seeing how it impacts the three laws, but some lawyers expressed hope that the Supreme Court order will decriminalise homosexuality for the Indian military too.

Chandigarh-based lawyer Major Navdeep Singh, who specialises in service and military matters, said the landmark judgment will “humanise military law to an extent”.

“The soldiers under military law will not be tried under Section 69 of the Army Act, read with Section 377 of the IPC, as far as a consensual relationship is concerned,” he told ThePrint.

Section 69 of the Army Act pertains to ‘civil offences’.

“The term ‘unnatural’, as used in Section 46 of the act, would yield to the interpretation given by the Supreme Court today for the same term appearing in Section 377,” he added.

The order stripped homosexual relationships of their “unnatural” tag.

“However, all forms of disgraceful conduct, which is cruel or indecent in nature, will continue to be an offence under Section 46,” he said.

Why the worry

An Army officer pointed out that extramarital relationships were considered an offence within the forces, saying it needed to be seen how the Supreme Court judgment tied in with this provision.

The main concerns among the brass, if this happens, pertain to the possible impact on operational issues.

Soldiers are posted away from families to far-flung places for months on end. They have their ‘buddy’ for emotional companionship, but absolutely no avenue for sexual release during these postings.

An Army lawyer said the brass had nothing to worry about, since the judgment was unlikely to decriminalise gay sex in the military.

Gay sex in the defence forces will continue to remain an offence under Section 46 (b) of the Army Act. The Section pertains to any person who “malingers, or feigns, or produces disease or infirmity in himself, or intentionally delays his cure or aggravates his disease or infirmity”.

“The accused may also be tried under Section 63 (‘violation of good order and discipline’), but not under Section 69 of the Act,” the lawyer added.

The lawyer also cited Article 33 of the Constitution, which gives Parliament the power to decide which rights apply to the military. Parliament will have to pass a specific amendment or ordinance for the decriminalisation of homosexuality to apply to the military, the lawyer added.

Homosexuality in the military is still frowned upon in much of the world. The US and Britain have led the way in changing the status quo by welcoming gay personnel in their forces.

A study conducted by the thinktank Hague Centre for Strategic Studies on more than 100 armed forces found India’s to be among the least friendly to gays.

https://theprint.in/security/indian-army-is-worried-now-that-men-can-legally-have-sex-with-other-men/113644/

Someone said: Oil price is about to go up in India ROTFL

Indian military men have probably been having illegal sex with each other for many, many years. I doubt that making it legal with have any effect on the numbers.

This culinary vlogger from Shahpur has taken YouTube by storm

Zofeen T. Ebrahim

Updated a day ago

By sharing his family's secret recipes, Mubashir Saddique has amassed 500,000 subscribers to his "cooking reality show"

The sound of birds, the snapping of twigs, then their reassuring popping and crackling as he stokes them under a makeshift temporary stove, the gurgling sound of running water from a nearby tubewell or the chugging of a tractor — the sight and sounds are real as you're transported to the village of Shahpur.

In fact, you can almost smell the aroma as onions begin to sizzle in hot oil while Mubashir Saddique crushes garlic and ginger in a wooden mortar and pestle. The onions let out a last loud shhhrrr as the crushed mixture is transferred to the oil.

33-year-old Saddique is our very own Jamie Oliver salt-of-the-earth type guy who has become somewhat of a celebrity on YouTube with his Village Food Secrets channel enjoying a huge following.

Mubashir Saddique left his job as production manager at a Sialkot football factory to pursue culinary vlogging full-time

While working as a production manager in a soccer ball manufacturing factory in the nearest town of Sialkot, Punjab, he probably never imagined his life would take such a bold turn.

But he sure is glad he doesn't have to make the daily hour-and-a-half bike commute covering 50 km from Shahpur to Sialkot anymore. Saddique has quit the factory work since he is now "full-time" doing, what he calls vlogging "reality cooking shows", giving out "centuries old" recipes of his family members.

Although when he started, money was never a consideration as he didn't even know he could earn money from something he loved to do using a cellphone camera!

"I want the world to know my family's secret recipes!" he told Images over the phone from his village, where he resides with his family — a wife, three kids, his parents, and a younger brother (the other is working in South Korea).

Since the time when he put up his first video showing how to make stuffed mooli (radish) parathas in January last year, there has been no looking back for this village vlogger. He has so far uploaded 350 videos showing not only eastern culinary delights but even burgers and pizzas (he baked the buns and the pizzas' base in an earthenware tandoor-oven built from scratch)!

"[My viewers abroad] say the food, the landscape, my use of earthenware crockery etc., helps in reducing their yearning for home." — Mubashir Saddique

Unpretentious, wearing a clean shalwar kameez with his signature yellow flip-flops (although these have since been replaced by a blue pair after the former broke), he admits he does not possess a "hi-fi kitchen or fancy culinary gadgets or equipment".

You also notice he does not have basic knife skills and can't even slice onions, tomatoes or chillies with the speed of professional chefs. In one video he is seen using a wooden takhti (a tablet used for learning writing with ink) instead of a cutting board although that too has now been replaced by a plastic one! Still, many viewers find him "distinctly disarming".

"I want the world to know my family's secret recipes!" says Saddique about why he started vlogging

Some may be dismayed to see the slaughtering of chickens, cow dung fuel bombs or his unmindful use of hands to mix everything. However, the use of organic produce from his kitchen garden, the beautiful village backdrop and working quietly as opposed to chefs coming on the screen and talking incessantly may outweigh some of the negatives. Viewers have said they love his videos for the "simplicity" of the "content".

What he cooks is then heartily eaten by the family. Every two weeks, he cooks in large quantities and treats the less privileged kids from his village to partake in the feast. In one video in particular, he bakes a humongous bun along with several regular sized ones and puts together "zinger" burgers that are then distributed among the patiently waiting kids.

Saddique uses fresh produce from his kitchen garden in his recipes

He has also come a long way from the first video he uploaded.

"In that, I did not speak at all, it was a very basic video," he said. Gradually, he started mentioning the ingredients he used and today, he says, he's confident and talks to the viewers easily, but only when necessary, said the one-man videographer who shoots and edits his own videos. He admits, though, that his wife (who never comes on the screen since she observes strict purdah) often helps him in filming.

He has also become more tech-savvy and has invested in a better quality microphone. His latest equipment includes a drone "for aerial photography" he said excitedly, sent by his brother from South Korea who also sent him an electric rice cooker!

Meals whipped up by Saddique are heartily consumed by his family

At the end of each show, his father, whom he terms the "life" of his shows and who is also his chief food taster, looks into the camera and says "Zindabad puttar, maza aa gya (Long live son, loved it!)!" Saddique said the viewers have loved this tagline but insists he has never ever told his father what to say.

The five countries that he has received the most views from are Pakistan, India, UK, US and Saudi Arabia. With a little over 500,000 subscribers to his Village Food Secrets channel, he informed it is his seekh kabab recipe, that has so far received the highest viewership at 3.4 million views.

"From the UK (aside from the Pakistani diaspora) and India, it is the Punjabi speaking community," he said of his viewer base. He is bombarded with messages of love and admiration on YouTube, Instagram (338 followers) and Facebook (9.4 k) (all with the same name). "They say the food, the landscape, my use of earthenware crockery etc., helps in reducing their yearning for home," he said.

https://images.dawn.com/news/1180821/this-culinary-vlogger-from-shahpur-has-taken-youtube-by-storm

[drool]

My and all Pakistanis favorite, the evergreen, BIRYANI Yum Yum

Nation celebrates Air Force Day today

Last Updated On 07 September,2018 03:39 pm

Pakistan Air Force celebrates September 7 as the PAF Day.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Air Force Day is being observed today (Wednesday) with traditional zeal and dignity across the country to commemorate the heroics of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the war of 1965 against India.

Pakistan Air Force celebrates September 7 as the PAF Day in commemoration of the PAF’s role in defending the country and remembering its martyrs of the 1965 war.

Special ceremonies are being held at all bases of PAF to pay homage to the martyrs who laid their lives while protecting the country from enemy.

The day started with special prayers and Quran Khawani for the martyrs of 1965 and 1971 wars and those who sacrificed their lives in action since creation of Pakistan.

Floral wreaths would be laid on the graves of PAF Shuhada throughout the country. Air shows and other programmes will mark the Pakistan Air Force’s role in defending the nation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

A notable event of the war was that PAF’s flying ace Muhammad Mahmood Alam shot down five planes of Indian Air Force in less than a minute.

Yesterday, the nation observed Defence Day to pay homage to martyrs of 1965 and 1971 wars with India.

https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/455876-Nation-celebrates-Air-Force-Day

Some say, Pakistan Airforce is most professional one among all three branches of Pakistan armed forces. I think they do have style. American flying ace Chuck Yeager also praised Pak Airforce....Some of the songs of PAF we used to listen and love since childhood

F-16s in full force and PAF loves this jet so much