ISLAMABAD: Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha attended an iftar dinner hosted by Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal in the Islamabad on Thursday, Geo news reported.
Pasha was the senior-most representative from the Pakistani side at the event held at a hotel this evening. His presence created a flutter among the gathering.
Though both Indian and Pakistani officials sought to play down his presence, observers said Pasha’’s decision to attend the event was “a strong signal”, especially in view of the strained ties between the two countries in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
On being welcomed by Sabharwal at the venue, Pasha remarked that he was glad to attend the event and there should be “more interaction”. The ISI chief broke his fast and offered prayers before sampling some of the delicacies on offer.
Pasha, who was accompanied by a senior ISI official, left after a short while though most of the guests, including Foreign Office officials, retired diplomats and officials, artists and businessmen, stayed longer.
In July, Pasha had suggested during a meeting with India’’s defence advisors that the ISI and the Pakistan Army should find a place in the bilateral talks with India as they play a key role in helping the foreign ministry formulate its policies.
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HYDERABAD: Twenty-eight bogies overturned as a result of the collision of two freight trains at Kotri Railway Station near Hyderabad on Thursday.
Moreover, two persons were injured while oil from bogies spilled over around the area.
According to reports, a goods train coming from Karachi collided with another goods train stationed at Kotri Railway station due to which several bogies overturned.
A train driver Shahid and a fireman Rashid sustained injuries in the incident and they were taken to Taluka Hospital Kotri for immediate medical treatment.
The collision resulted in spilling of oil in huge quantity.
The incident took place at 1-30 pm but relief operation has still not begun after the accident.
However, Railway officials said that a rescue train has left Karachi towards the spot and the Railway officials have also gone to the scene.
Police and Rangers cordoned off the area just after the trains collided while fire-brigade and Edhi ambulance immediately reached the spot.
According to the Railway officials, each bogie contains 49,000 litres of oil and 28 bogies overturned from which oil is being taken out.
Taking notice of the accident of the goods trains, minister of state for Railway Jadam Mangrio has ordered GM and DS Railway for investigation.
He also directed to investigate that how both trains reached the same track.
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KARACHI: The Divisional Superintendent Railway Karachi Aftab Memon has said the accident of freight trains was caused due to negligence rendered by the engine driver Muhammad Shahid and fireman while two have been sacked over committing delinquencies, Geo news reported on Thursday.
He said the freight train?s collision occurred due to negligence committed by the engine driver and the fireman of the train coming from behind as they violated ?Red Signal?.
A committed headed by Deputy Personnel Officer (DPO) has been constituted for probe into mishap, he informed.
Moreover, one and half more hours might be taken to restore railway service, he added.
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ISLAMABAD: Several dignitaries including Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Thursday attended the Iftar-dinner hosted by Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabarwal.
Sharat hosted the Iftar at a local hotel.
DG ISI stayed at the dinner for at least 45 minutes and kept sitting at the table of Indian High Commissioner and offered Maghrib prayer there.
The personalities at the dinner included Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan, Farooq Sattar, Abdul Hai Baloch, Supreme Court Bar Association President Ali Ahmed Kurd, former DG ISI Asad Durrani, Gohar Ayyub, former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar, ANP leader Hashim Babar, Civil Society representatives Farzana Raja and Talat Masud.
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Pakistan News
Islamabad
As the holy month of Ramazan nears its last 10 days, million of faithful are preparing to observe ?Aitkaf?, which starts from Friday
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KARACHI: Pakistanis working abroad sent home $780.53 million in August, up nearly 32% from $592.30 million in the same period last year, the State Bank of Pakistan said.
Remittances in the two months of the current financial year that started July 1 were up by 25% to $1.525 billion from $1.219 billion in the same period a year earlier, the central bank said in a statement.
In the last financial year, overseas remittances totaled $7.81 billion, surpassing the previous year’’s $6.451 billion.
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Pakistan News
LAHORE
Federal Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zamaan Kaira has said that sugar crisis created by the mill owners and if the people refuse to buy
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BARA: The crackdown on Laskhra-e-Islam is still in full swing on the 10th day of crackdown against the extremists in Khyber Agency in Tehsil Bara; also, the exodus of local people from the area is in progress on Thursday.
Political Administration announced to continue the crackdown until the area is cleared.
Talking to Geo News, PA Khyber Agency Tariq Hayat said 107 extremists have been killed in the action on the 10th day of the crackdown; also, 127 houses and 26 centers of the extremists have been razed down.
Also, 107 people have been arrested in the action.
PA Khyber said the action is afoot in Bara Tehsil areas of Malak Deenkhel, Akakhel, Sapah, Shalobar and Qambarkhel and these areas are being searched.
He added Bara Market has been cleared; however, it will take time to clear the entire area.
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ISLAMABAD: A resident of ?under siege? Kurram Agency has managed to reach Islamabad and threatened self-immolation if the government failed to save hu
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KARACHI: Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister, Sharmila Farooqi has appealed to the Federal government to not consider KESC?s request for tariff increase a
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