ISLAMABAD, 9 April, 2021 (TON): A Bill has been approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, that would punish those intentionally criticize the Armed forces of the country.

The committee has approved the Bill to amend the Pakistan Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, sanctioning punishment to those who ridicule armed forces through intended criticism.

According to the Bill, “anyone who shall be guilty of said offence could face up to two years imprisonment or fine that may extend to Rs 500,000 or both".

Ruling Party’s Amjad Ali Khan of the PTI has introduced the Bill “Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2020.”

However, the bill got approval despite opposition from the political groups.

The Bill proposes amendment to Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which currently states "whosoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or both".

The amendment says, "Punishment for international ridiculing of the armed forces etc. Whosoever intentionally ridicules brings into disrepute or defames the armed forces of Pakistan or a member thereof, shall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees, or both".

Nevertheless, opposition lawmakers from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) opposed the proposed amendment, stating that there was no need to introduce the Bill, as it is already covered under Article 19 of the Constitution.

ISLAMABAD, 8 April, 2021 (TON): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi during which the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation.

The Russian FM arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

"The importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with Russia as a key foreign policy priority" and expressed satisfaction at the steady growth in bilateral ties, Khan reiterated in a meeting on Wednesday.

Views were also exchanged on the health and economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, while Khan also congratulated Russia on its development of Sputnik-V vaccine and underscored Pakistan's procurement plans in this regard, according to the statement.

Khan stressed the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan and appreciated Russia's efforts in promoting the Afghan peace process.

Lavrov said during the joint meeting with Qureshi, that his country is ready to further build counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan through supply of military equipment.

"This serves in the interest of all states of the region," Lavrov said.

Both countries have agreed on conducting more joint military exercises, he added.

"Russia and Pakistan have agreed to further facilitate the agreement among Afghan parties through inclusive political dialogue," he said.

However, the Russian envoy asserted that the increase in bilateral trade is satisfactory and expressed readiness to further strengthen economic relations. Moreover, he showed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

CAIRO, 8 April, 2021 (TON): In the backdrop of failure in the DRC’s GERD talks, the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that all options are open if a drop of water belonging to Egypt is touched.

Both Egypt and Sudan blamed Ethiopia for the failure of the latest round of talks.

While conveying message to Ethiopia, the Egyptian President said, “Cooperation is better.”

He added that Egypt’s concerns over the dam are justified, and that negotiations with Sudan over the dam are continuing.

“We value development on the condition that it does not affect the interests of Egypt,” El-Sisi said.

“Our stance has not changed. My words were and still are: Respect for development in Ethiopia to improve conditions (for) its people, with the understanding that this matter (should) not affect the interests of Egypt.”

Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it expected talks to resume around the third week of April at the invitation of the president of the African Union.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Cairo has not yet received an invitation from the African Union and stated that Cairo openly deals with the efforts of the African Union presidency.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday’s meeting failed “due to Egypt and Sudan’s rigid stance” and that Ethiopia “cannot enter into an agreement that would foreclose its current and future legitimate rights over the utilization of the Nile.”

Egyptian FM Shoukry said, “We will work with our partners, the international organizations, and highlight the associated risks, and we will call on the international community to assume its responsibility to maintain peace and security at regional and international levels.

“Egypt and Sudan have the right to take measures to defend their water rights,” he concluded.

However, Ethiopia says the gravity dam under construction since 2011 is vital for its economic progress and power generation, but Egypt fears its supply of water from the Nile which currently provides about 97 percent of the country’s irrigation and drinking water will be threatened, and Sudan has raised concerns about the dam’s safety and its effect on its own dams and water stations on the Nile.

NEW DELHI, 8 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, the BJP’s National Vice President and state in-charge Baijayant Jay Panda said that the BJP will form the government in the northeastern state for a second term.

His statement came a day after polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly ended.

 Talking to the media Panda said that the BJP will surely retain power in Assam.

He asserted, "People in Assam are quite happy with the work of both the Central and state governments and there was no anti-incumbency against the state government or the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

 "The pace of development has accelerated like never before and Prime Minister Modi has taken personal interest in this progress, which has only increased the people's trust in the BJP," he added.

However, he claimed that BJP will take the court in terms of heavy voters.

COLOMBO, 8 April, 2021 (TON): The State Minister of Motor Traffic and Transport Dilum Amunugama stated that nearly 3,000 additional buses and 53 trains will be added to the present fleet to enhance transport facilities for the public during the festive season starting from 9 April to 16.

Addressing the media at the Ministry on Tuesday, the State Minister said that 1,192 Sri Lanka Transport Buses (SLTB) and 1,800 private buses by National Transport Commission (NTC) and 53 trains will be added to provide a better service.

Accordingly, the Acting General Manager of Railways said 12 train trips will be added to Badulla, six trains to Jaffna, one to Anuradhapura, eight to Galle, six to Beliatta, 10 to Matara and 14 trains will be operated between Kalutara and Veyangoda.

Therefore, the State Minister requested the public to use the transport services efficiently and not to rush on the first day.

Meanwhile, all public transport operators are strictly told to follow the COVID-19 health guidelines and should not exceed the number of passengers in every transport medium. 

MALE, 8 April, 2021 (TON): The Tourism Ministry of Maldives and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) entered into an agreement for a project “Reimagining Tourism”, worth MVR 4.7M to develop the local tourism sector.

Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldives while Ms. Akiko Fuiji, the UNDP country representative for the Maldives signed on behalf of the UNDP.

The project will focus on the development of culture, heritage, and integrated tourism, according to the Ministry. 

However, it is likely to view that the project will bring a lot of benefits to the public directly and would see amendments brought such as the inclusion of tourism in the land use plan of islands.

Moreover, the analysts consider this pact to provide more opportunities for the women and the youth.

KABUL, 8 April, 2021 (TON): Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation has communicated the upcoming Istanbul Summit’s date and agenda to the peace negotiating teams.

In a letter, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad informed both government and Taliban negotiators of the date for the IN-backed Turkey conference on Afghanistan.

The media reported that the two teams, after multilateral meetings in Qatar to firm up the conference agenda, failed to make any tangible progress.

Earlier in the weeks, media reports suggested discussions on 16 April as a possible date for the conference.

The negotiating parties have not yet commented on Khalilzad’s letter. However, the agenda could be made public, if accepted by the two sides.

ZURICH, 7 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, the leading global football governing body, FIFA suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) due to third-party interference and also the Chadian Football Association (FTFA) with immediate effect due to government interference.

A group of football officials led by Ashfaq Hussain to run the PFF was not recognized by FIFA.

This took over the headquarters recently and seized control from the FIFA Normalization Committee headed by Haroon Malik, media reported.

FIFA said in Wednesday's statement, "FIFA issued a letter warning that, should the illegitimate occupation of the PFF headquarters not be lifted and the office bearers recognized by FIFA not be permitted free access to the building to carry out their mandate, the matter would be immediately submitted to the Bureau of the Council for decision."

"As the situation remains unchanged, the Bureau of the Council has decided to suspend the PFF."

However, Pakistan was also suspended by FIFA for third party interference in 2017.

COLOMBO, 7 April, 2021 (TON): Direct flights are to be launched between the Israel and Sri Lanka, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

After the reopening of the country amid pandemic, discussions have begun between the embassies and the Ministry of Tourism regarding the resumption of aviation services on the instructions of the Minister Ranatunga.

As a result, direct flights between Israel and Sri Lanka are expected to commence soon.

Following the move, it  is expected that between 2000 and 5000 Israeli tourists will visit Sri Lanka during May and September.

However, it is discussions are underway with Aeroflot of Russia, Air Arabia from Dubai, flydubai from Dubai, Vistara Airlines of India and Jazeera Airlines of Kuwait regarding the launch of direct air operations to Sri Lanka.

KABUL, 7 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday a local monitoring group reported, at least 59 people were killed in insurgent activities and clashes in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours.

Reduction in Violence (RiV) tweeted, "Within the past 24 hours, our team has documented 59 deaths, including eight civilians, nine Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members, and 42 Taliban militants.”

The group said that there were also 30 civilians, 38 Taliban militants, and seven security forces members wounded in the cited period.

According to the RiV statistics, the casualties were observed in 15 violent incidents that took place in seven of the Asian country's 34 provinces.