ISLAMABAD, 10 May 2021, (TON): Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN has written a letter to UN chief following death of jailed Kashmiri pro-independence leader Ashraf Sehrai.

Pakistan conveyed its “deep” concern to the UN over the death of jailed pro-freedom Kashmiri leader Ashraf Sehrai and called for the release of all political prisoners in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Munir Akram wrote on Saturday in a letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres, urging him to ask New Delhi to immediately release all prisoners illegally detained in the disputed Himalayan valley.

Ashraf Sehrai, who a political prisoner died at a hospital earlier this week. He was the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, one of the constituent parties of the Hurriyat Conference. He was under house arrest when he was detained under the Public Safety Act, which has been described as a “lawless law” by global rights group Amnesty International.

With hundreds of prisoners having tested positive for COVID-19 across India, activists and family members of incarcerated individuals have repeatedly appealed to the Indian government to release ailing prisoners from overcrowded jails. 

MALE, 10 May 2021, (TON): Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Sunday announced that the AFC Cup Group D matches in Maldives will be postponed. Bengaluru FC were scheduled to face local club Eagles FC in a playoff match after which the Group D matches were scheduled to start on 14 May with fellow Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan facing the winners of the playoff.

As per the details Maldives's Health Protection Agency (HPA) had given special permission for the play-off match between Eagles and Bengaluru FC. One of the conditions was that the players and staff had to be confined to the hotel at all times except when going for training and the matches.

BFC players, who had reached Maldives on Friday, were seen on the Male streets, which was not permitted as they were given special permission to be here despite the ban on tourists from India because of a COVID-19 surge there. Media footages confirmed Erik Paartalu walking on a street in Male Jindal apologised for the "inexcusable behaviour of three foreign players and staff and promised strictest action against them.

Maldives Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof termed it as "unacceptable", and asked the club should leave Flag of Maldives immediately as we can't entertain this act."

NEW DELHI, 10 May 2021, (TON): Indian Police claimed to have arrested an Afghan Persian speaking couple from western part of the city and recovered over 125 kilograms of heroin worth Rs 860 crore in the international market.

Natitve of Kandhar, Mohammad Shafi and Tareena were travelling in their car from Wazirabad to Khyala, when Police intercepted and recovered 125.840 kilograms heroin worth Rs 860 crore in international market. Urvija Goel, the Deputy Commissioner of Police confirmed arresting Afghan couple and recovering over 125 kilograms of heroin from the car in which they were traveling. During interrogation, Shafi disclosed that he was supplying heroin from Wazirabad to Khyala and Punjab province. Tareena, his wifewas helping him in supply of heroin.

NEW YORK, 09 May 2021, (TON): US Department of Homeland Security has abandon biometrics collection for immigrants without any regard to age. The Department of Homeland Security official said that the proposed rule is consistent with the Executive Order signed by President Joe Biden, regarding restoring faith in the legal immigration system. Now biometric collection is only authorized upon arrest of an illegal immigrant.

Indian- American are taking the credit of compelling US Department of Homeland Security to abandon biometrics collection for immigrants on the ground that it was illegal immigrant Indian diaspora which took law and order into their hands, raised Indian flags and defeated President Donald Trump from spoiling Joseph Biden inauguration as President .

Earlier, notified in the Federal Register on 11 September 2020, President Donald Trump made rule that any applicant, petitioner, sponsor, beneficiary, or individual filing or associated with an immigration benefit or request, including US citizens, must appear for biometrics collection without regard to age.

It has been announced that from 17 May biometrics requirements for H-4, L-2, and certain E non-immigrant categories. Such a move was welcomed by a large number of Indian-Americans who were impacted by the biometrics requirement.

ISLAMABAD, 09 May 2021, (TON): Pakistan Foreign Office has reacted on Saturday over recent seizure of radioactive uranium by Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad.

The Indian authorities confirmed that recently Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad seized 7.10 kg radioactive natural uranium and arrested two persons in connection with the case. The confiscated material is expected to be worth at least $2.9 million.

A press release issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said, "We have noted with serious concern the reports about seizure of more than 7 kg natural uranium from unauthorised persons in India,” The release sai, "Security of nuclear materials should be the top priority for all countries. There is a need for a thorough investigation into the matter as to how such sizeable quantity of uranium could become available outside of any state control and identify the gaps which made this possible."

Pakistan has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, hinting towards getting the state of India brought under scrutiny.

ISLAMABAD, 09 May 2021, (TON): The first shipment of over 1.2 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived in Islamabad.

Pakistan secured 17 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the World Health Organization's COVAX programme. The first delivery was expected in March but got delayed due to an Indian ban on the export of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Pakistan started processing China's single-dose CanSino vaccine. The vaccine is expected to be available for use by the end of this month.

Pakistan is currently using China's Sinopharm and CanSino vaccines and has also allowed commercial sale of Covid-19 vaccines. Health authorities in Pakistan claims that at least 3.3 million people have been vaccinated so far.

The country has been put under the lockdown until 16 May even during Eid al-Fitr holiday to contain the spread of the virus.

KATHMANDU, 09 May 2021, (TON): Where US is encouraging South Asian nations including Nepal to immigrate USA, Washington has issued a caution. In a notice on its website, the State Department has cautioned its citizens wishing to visit Nepal about limited medical facilities and government services in the country in the wake of the spike of coronavirus cases.

"Be aware that infrastructure, government services and medical assistance may not be up to US standards," the notice, issued on Friday, said.

Nepal is facing an acute shortage of coronavirus vaccines and other essential medical supplies and hospitals running out of beds and oxygen due to the increasing number of patients.

The US administration has allowed voluntary departure of family members of its government staff and non-emergency government employees working in Nepal.

The notice comes as COVID-19 cases have surged in Nepal lately as the country is hit by a second wave of the pandemic.

ISLAMABAD, 09 May 2021, (TON): : The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Prince Muhammad Bin Salman met in Jeddah and held wide-ranging talks on bilateral, regional and international issues.

The two leaders reaffirmed the strong and historic bonds between the two countries rooted firmly in shared beliefs, common values, mutual trust and longstanding tradition of mutual support. The main focus of the talks centered on situation in Middle East including Yemen and Iran as well as South Asia region.

Pakistan Foreign offices in a statement said, “During the meeting, special emphasis was laid on increasing Saudi investments in Pakistan, collaboration in the field of energy, and increased job opportunities for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia.”

The two leaders also signed an agreement on the establishment of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC).

BAGHDAD, 09 May 2021, (TON): US-led alliance in Iraq’s spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto said on Twitter that the "Ain Al-Asad Air Base was attacked by an unmanned aerial surveillance system on Friday. He added, "No injuries reported. A hangar was damaged. The attack is under investigation."

This is not the first incident of its kind, in the recent months, fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad has been the target repeatedly to blame pro-Iranian groups. However, there in no or remote possibility of attacks by pro-Iranian groups as US and allies are in allience with these groups against Sunni majority.

DHAKA, 09 May 2021, (TON): Bangladesh decided on Saturday to continue sealing border with India. The land borders with India were sealed on 26 April in view of the worsening coronavirus situation in the neighbouring country and pushing of illegal immigrants into Bangladesh.

Bangladesh''s National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on COVID-19 had earlier suggested the border closure, saying the land routes with India should not reopen. Transportation of goods through the land borders, however, is continuing as routine.

Bangladeshis has allowed stranded Indian national on expiry of visas to return home through designated points at Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari borders, after obtaining no objection certificates from Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala.