'We gave India a bloody nose and it is still hurting': DG ISPR on Abhinandan episode

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Thursday addressed a media briefing to set the record straight about the events surrounding February 27 — the day Pakistan downed two Indian planes and captured an Indian pilot.

"Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day," he began by saying.

He said that after the Pulwama incident, on February 26, India violated all international principles and attacked Pakistan. "They not only faced defeat but humiliation all over the world."

"Our timely response derailed their efforts. Their planes and the explosives they had come to rain down on the Pakistani people, they instead dropped on empty mountains. They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes. "

He said that in response, the Pakistan Army, in accordance with the people's wishes, sought to "teach the enemy a lesson".

"On this decision, all civil and military leadership was on a single page. We responded with full might in the light of day and shot down two planes, along with arresting their pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan [Varthaman]," said the DG ISPR, recalling the events.

He said that the enemy was in such a panicked state that it shot down its own helicopter.

Maj Gen Iftikhar said that Pakistan secured a "clear victory" that day against India. He said not only was India's hollowed state of preparedness exposed that day but the entire Pakistani nation's heads were held high.

He said this triumph was not only celebrated in Pakistan but the entire world recognised it. "India held its non-availability of Rafale jets accountable for the defeat," he added.

The DG ISPR said that the government of Pakistan, in a measured and responsible move, decided to "give peace a chance" and hand over the captured war prisoner Wing Commander Abhinandan over.

He said the move, which was in accordance with Geneva Convention, was lauded the world over.

"I wish to set the history straight once more. Pakistan first demonstrated it capability and resolve. The decision was then made keeping all war options in mind and from a position of strength," Maj Gen Iftikhar said.

He stressed that the civil and military leadership were prepared to combat "any sort of situation" with full preparedness.

"We gave them a bloody nose and its still hurting," the DG ISPR said.

He said that linking the "mature response of a responsible state" with regard to Wing Commander Abhinandan's release to any thing else is "highly regrettable and misleading".

 

My statement on Abhinandan was taken out of context: Ayaz Sadiq

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Ayaz Sadiq said that his statement regarding Abhinandan was taken out of context by the Indian media.

In his clarification statement, he said that Indian media tried to distort his remarks. Terming the striking down of Abhinandan’s fighter jet, a success for Pakistan, he said the Indian pilot was sent to attack Pakistan not to distribute sweets.

He said that decision to release Abhinandan was not right.

Sadiq further said that the premier conveyed a message to release Abhinandan through Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to the opposition parties.

On the other hand, Special Assistant to Prime Minister of Pakistan on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Thursday said that PM Imran Khan wanted peace and it was the only reason that Indian pilot Abhinandan was released.

 

Peshawar blast: investigation agencies expanded scope of the probe

The investigation agencies have expanded scope of the probe of Peshawar seminary blast, Dir Colony area has been geo-fenced and data of mobile calls in the locality has been collected.

At least seven people were killed and more than 100 injured – most of them children – in a powerful blast at a madrassah in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Tuesday morning.

Police search operation has been underway on the third day of the terrorist attack.

The students of madrassah have been sent to homes and police has recorded statements of the eyewitnesses. A sketch of the accused being prepared with the help of the eyewitness accounts.

The investigators also completing the data of the arrested suspects.

An investigation team, comprises of the officials of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Police and other law enforcement agencies, had earlier prepared preliminary probe report.

Moreover, the record of Madrassah students and their details being scrutinized.

Police have launched search operation at Yekka Toot, Dir Colony and adjoining areas of Peshawar and arrested 55 suspects, ealrier SSP Operations Peshawar said.

The personnel of Elite Force, Rapid Response Force, BDU and ladies police participated in the operation.

Illegal arms and ammunition recovered in door to door search, SSP said.

A special interrogation team of officials has been constituted to question the arrrested suspects, he added.

Karachi: Eid Milad un Nabi rally to start from Boulton Market and to conclude in Nistar park

The central procession of Eid Milad un Nabi will begin from Boulton Market in the old city area and conclude at Nishtar Park after passing through the approved route.

Muslims around the world celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as Eid Milad un Nabi, on the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal, which is the third month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

The city administration in a statement has said that pedestrians could join the central procession in the city from eight points along the route.

The participants will reach to the central procession after passing the walk-through gates.

“No arms will be allowed in the procession,” according to the statement.

“The entry of women and the children will be prohibited in procession, while cars, motorbikes and camel carts would also not be allowed,” said the statement.

The trucks used to distribute ‘Niaz’ will be parked on the side of the procession, police sources said. “Only vehicles issued special passes will be allowed entry on the route of the procession,” according to police.

Large contingents of policemen and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed along the route to secure the Eid Miladun Nabi processions in Karachi.

ATC vindicates PM Imran in Parliament House assault case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad on Thursday acquitted Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Parliament House attack case.

Judge Raja Jawad Abbas announced this decision on an application seeking acquittal of Prime Minister Khan.

The case pertains to violence that took place during the 2014 sit-in jointly organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections.

PM Khan, President Arif Alvi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other PTI leaders were named in the case registered under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). They were all accused of inciting violence during the sit-in in the federal capital.

ATC acquits PM Imran in Parliament House attack case

Covid-19: 908 new cases reported in Pakistan

The coronavirus seems to be gradually spreading again across the country as 908 fresh cases of the deadly disease emerged over the past 24 hours.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the total number of confirmed patients of Covid-19 has risen to 331,108. Sixteen people succumbed to the infection during the past 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 6,775.
As many as 29,449 samples were tested for the coronavirus. There are a total of 11,695 active cases of Covid-19 as 312,638 out of the total confirmed patients have recuperated.

624 of the patients under treatment in hospitals across the country are said to be in critical condition.

Thus far, Sindh has reported 144,765 cases, followed by Punjab that has reported 103,587 cases while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 39,277, Balochistan 15,876, Islamabad 19,454, Gilgit Baltistan 4,211 and Azad Jammu and Kashmir 3,938.

On Wednesday, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had announced new Covid-19 restrictions for cities and districts where the Covid-19 positivity rate has exceeded two per cent.

According to a notification, the NCOC ordered all shopping malls, restaurants, shops and marriage halls to shut by 10 pm from today (Thursday). The foram also ordered to shut public parks and recreational spots by 6 pm from Thursday.

The cities include Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Hyderabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Peshawar and Quetta. The NCOC has made it mandatory to wear face masks and ordered the provincial government for taking strict measures in view of the rising cases of coronavirus pandemic.

Instagram users can now stream live for four hours

Facebook-owned Instagram on Tuesday announced extending the maximum length of a stream to four hours.

This extended timeframe will be available to all Instagram users globally, so long as they have no history of IP or policy violations.

Explaining the reason behind extending time limits on live steams, the company said that change is meant to help those who’ve had to pivot to virtual events, like fitness instructors, teachers, musicians, artists, activists and among others.

Related to this change, Instagram will also update the “Live Now” section in IGTV and at the end of live streams to help direct users to more live content.

Instagram also today pre-announced another feature which has yet to arrive.

It says that it will “soon” add an option that will allow creators to archive their live streams for up to 30 days.