spot_imgspot_img
spot_img
Menu
Search
ePaper
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 4691

Pak PM saying right things, his military leadership too needs to take right decisions: US

KD Desk
-
0
Pak PM saying right things, his military leadership too needs to take right decisions: US

Washington: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is saying right things and trying to make some changes in the country, but his military leadership too needs to take right decisions and right steps, the Trump Administration said Wednesday hours after the UN Security Council designated Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

Nearly a year and half after President Donald Trump ordered cutting off security aids to Pakistan, a senior US administration official told reporters that the US is trying to change Pakistan’s policy of supporting terrorist groups.

Noting the US’ recognition of the ISI’s links with its home-frown terrorist groups, the official the US does not want to get involved in the country’s internal politics and expects the Pak military to correct the situation.

“We support the civilian government. We support the nascent democratic system there. We support the fact that Prime Mister Khan says right things and appears to be trying to make some changes within Pakistan. But only time will tell if he is successful in doing that, he added.

The senior administration official said Pakistan’s military leadership too needs to take right decisions and right steps.

So far, we do see support from the military to the direction that prime minister Khan seems to be going in, he said.

The Trump administration Wednesday credited Prime Mister Kahn for his helpful statements on cracking down on terror outfits and some initial steps being taken in this regard.

So, we do appreciate that Pakistan is saying the right thing, has taken the initial step that we’re looking for, but we reserve judgment because we have seen backpacking in the past, the official said.

The official said the US wants to reserve judgment till it sees if the steps they are taking are actually irreversible.

In-charge EO, MC Sopore Suspended Attached with Executive Engineer Town Drainage Division, Kashmir

KD Desk
-
0
In-charge EO, MC Sopore Suspended Attached with Executive Engineer Town Drainage Division, Kashmir


Srinagar, May 2: The In-Charge Executive Officer, Municipal Council Sopore, was suspended today by the Directorate Urban Local Bodies Kashmir. He was attached with the Executive Engineer Town Drainage Division, Kashmir with immediate effect.

Director Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir suspended the I/C Executive Officer, MC Soproe vide order no: DULB/PS/601 of 2019 Dated 01/05/2019, and vide dispatch no: DULB/Estt/8693-8700 Dated: 01/05/2019.

The elected President of Municipal Council Sopore vide communication bearing no: PMC/Spr/19/33 dated 26/04/2019 has leveled allegations against Shri Ab Lateef Mir I/C Executive Officer, Municipal Council Sopore with regard to mismanagement of official business, reads the letter that is in possession of eT.

Order reads that the team of officer headed by the Accounts Officer, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies was instructed to visit Municipal Council Sopore and submit the detailed factual report.

The inspection team submitted its report wherein inter-alia the following derelictions have been pointed out, like Drawl/disbursement of salary by the I/C Executive officer in favour of non existing employees in violation of section 307 of Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000/SRO: 417 dated 18/12/2008 (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Local Body Institutions (Management) service recruitment rules) and causing loss to public exchequer, the order said.

The order further said that, non-deduction of income tax at source in respect of salary, mismanagement in issuance of building permissions, violations on account of drawl of salary without counter signatures as per standing instructions of the Directorate.

Now therefore, in view of the above facts, Shri Ab Latief Mir, I/C Executive Officer, Municipal Council Sopore is hereby placed under suspension and attached with office of the Executive Engineer, Town Drainage Division Kashmir with immediate effect.

The detailed charge sheet against the said officer along with all other delinquent officers/officials pointed out by the team shall follow, reads the order copy.

However sources also said that, Lateef Mir, EO MC Sopore was also attached in 2018, vide no: 169-HUD of 2015 dated 30/06/2015 as the then there were also allegations of dereliction of funds and other mismanagement in the said department.

The said official had illegally appointed various persons in the department concerned without the approval from the higher ups, and he had not only brought bad reputation to the department, but there was huge loss to the state exchequer, sources told.

India, Pak armies exchange fire, mortars along LoC in Poonch

KD Desk
-
0
India, Pak armies exchange fire, mortars along LoC in Poonch

‘All educational institutions closed in Kerni sector for today’

MS Nazki

Poonch, May 2 : India and Pakistan armies on Thursday exchanged fire along the Line of Control in Qasba Kirni sector of this frontier district of Jammu division.

Army officials told GNS that Pakistan army used mortars shelling and small arms in the sector at 10 A.M.

“The army responded strongly,” they added. The shelling created a scare among the locals especially school children.

There were no reports about casualty to any person on either side so far.

Meanwhile, all schools of Kerni Sector are hereby closed today on 02.05.2019 due to cross-border shelling, reads an order by District Magistrate Poonch. (GNS)

EC over-rules its officers, gives second clean chit to Modi

KD Desk
-
0
EC over-rules its officers, gives second clean chit to Modi

A day after it cleared the Prime Minister’s speech at Wardha under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the Election Commission (EC) Wednesday gave a second clean chit to Narendra Modi for his appeal to first-time voters by invoking the Balakot airstrikes in Latur, Maharashtra, on April 9.

This time, however, the Commission went against the opinion of the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Osmanabad District Electoral Officer (DEO). Both found Modi’s appeal to be “inconsistent” with the poll watchdog’s instructions prohibiting the use of armed forces for political gains.
Their opinion, The Indian Express has learnt, was debated vigorously in the Commission meeting Tuesday and was, eventually, over-ruled on the technicality that Modi did not seek votes for either his party or himself while invoking the Balakot air strikes.
According to an EC official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the comments of the DEO and the CEO were not considered since their opinion was based on “just five lines of the speech”.
“The decision was made after taking the whole speech into consideration,” the official added.
“The matter has been examined in the context of extant ECI’s advisory dated 04.12.2013, which was reiterated on 09.03.2019 and a sequel issued on 19.03.2019, provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and after examination of complete transcript of speech of eleven pages as per the certified copy sent by the Returning Officer, 40-Osmanabad Parliamentary Constituency on 13.04.2019, Commission is of considered view that in this matter no such violation of the extant advisories/provisions is attracted,” states EC’s reply sent to Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala Tuesday.
On March 19, the poll panel had written to all parties asking them to advise their leaders and candidates to “desist” from “indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of the Defence forces”.

Earlier on March 9, the Commission had issued a similar advisory to political parties asking them not to use photographs of defence personnel or photographs of functions involving defence personnel in advertisements or their election propaganda.

With Wednesday’s decision, the EC has cleared two of the five Congress complaints against the Prime Minister. On Tuesday, the Commission had found no violation of the MCC and electoral laws in Modi’s April 1 speech at Wardha where, referring to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s decision to also contest from Wayanad, he had said that the party was “running away from majority-dominated areas” to “take refuge in areas where the majority is in minority”.

In his speech at Latur on April 9, which got the Commission’s all-clear Wednesday, Modi had said: “Mein zara kehna chhahta hoon mere first-time voteron ko. Kya aapka pehla vote Pakistan ke Balakot mein air strike karnewale veer jawanon ke naam samarpit ho sakta hai kya? Mein mere first-time voter se kehna chhahta hoon ki aapka pehla vote Pulwama mein jo veer shahid hue hain un veer shahidon ke naam aapka vote samarpit ho sakta hai kya?” (“I want to tell my first-time voters: Can your first vote be dedicated to the brave soldiers who carried out the air strike in Balakot in Pakistan? I want to tell my first-time voters: Can your first vote be dedicated to the braves martyred in Pulwama?”).

On April 12, the Congress had approached the Commission against the above comment calling it a “blatant and brazen act” and a “direct violation of EC’s instructions dated March 9 and March 19.

The other Congress complaints against the PM relate to his remarks elsewhere: On April 6, in Nanded, Maharashtra, he again referred to the Wayanad seat as one where the “country’s majority is in minority”.

And on April 21, while speaking in Patan in Gujarat, Modi, referring to himself in third person, said he had 12 missiles ready and that had Pakistan not announced the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan then it would have had to face “qatal ki raat”. On the same day, addressing a rally in Barmer in Rajasthan, he warned Pakistan, saying India’s nuclear arsenal is not meant for Diwali. “Every other day they used to say ‘we have nuclear button, we have nuclear button’. What do we have then? Have we kept it for Diwali?” he said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday will hear Congress MP Sushmita Dev’s petition demanding urgent action on EC’s behalf on alleged MCC violations by Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.

Indian Express

Baramulla Nadihal school awaiting boundary wall

KD Desk
-
0
Baramulla Nadihal school awaiting boundary wall

Baramulla Govt. school has 3 class rooms for 90 students

SUHAIL KHAN

BARAMULLA, May 1: When will Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) Nadihal get a proper boundary wall? This question has been raised repeatedly but the answer is yet to be found.


Poor infrastructure, absence of proper playground in Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) in Nadihal village of North Kashmir’s Baramulla District and much more, tells a story of the indifferent attitude of the administration with regard to this school.


Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) Nadihal has only three classrooms available for 90 students enrolled in it.


The school lacks basic amenities and infrastructure and the school staff is compelled to adjust its five classes comprised of 90 students in just three room accommodation. “This scenario speaks volumes about the infrastructure available government-run schools here,” Tawseef Ahmed a local of Nadihal told Kashmir Despatch.


Teachers of this school while talking to Kashmir Despatch said: “How can we teach two classes in just one classroom and that too at one time which always results in chaotic conditions, confusion, and noise.” “It is indeed difficult to teach two classes at the same time and we approached everyone in the administration. We are doing our best to get all the facilities here so that the same are provided to our students,” said a Female teacher at (GPS) Nadihal.


Saika a 5th standard student of GPS Nadihal told this reporter that they lack basic infrastructure like classrooms not to talk of modern facilities like computer labs or science laboratories. “We are taught all subjects here in just one classroom. Since there are a large number of students enrolled here, we are unable to comprehend our lessons or concentrate on lectures given to us,” she added.

She further said: “When one teacher is delivering a lecture in one classroom, normally there should be no noises nearby. But here we always face a situation like we are caught in some fish market. Our precious time is wasted as we face immense hardships due to the unavailability of infrastructure.”
The students also complained about other issues which including a ground , drinking facilities, washrooms etc.


More interesting is the fact that the poor condition of this school does not seem to have affect the government authorities concerned. School authorities have been repeatedly reminding the administration regarding the lack of infrastructure but things have been moving at a snail’s pace.


Meanwhile despite repeated attempts chief education officer (CEO) Baramulla was not available for commits.

BJP’s report card shows its failure: Mehbooba

KD Desk
-
0
BJP’s report card shows its failure: Mehbooba


KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, May 1: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday warned that the state’s relationship with the Centre will be jeopardized if Article 370 of the Constitution is revoked.

 “BJP has failed on all fronts be it addressing growing unemployment, farmers distress, or inflation. They have nothing good to show in their report card to people and that is why they (BJP) are repeatedly talking about scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35-A,” Mehbooba told reporters in Srinagar.

As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, she said both Article 370 and Article-35 A are foundation of the accession of J&K with Union of India. “These articles provide special position to J&K in Union of India. If there is any tinkering to these Articles, the relationship of J&K with Union of India will be jeopardized. If you break that position, then people of J&K will have to rethink whether we would even want to stay with you (India) without conditions,” she said.

She attributed the less voting percentage in south Kashmir to deaths, which occurred in the region in past three years. “Due to prevailing situation in south Kashmir, where election boycott saw maximum impact, the voter turnout was less,” she said.

Whether boycott will help the other political parties other than PDP, she said only time will tell that. PDP chief is in a tough contest in south Kashmir’s parliamentary seat with Congress chief G A Mir and NC’s Husnain Masoodi, a retired High Court judge. Polling will be held in three phases in south Kashmir Parliament constituency.

UNSC declares JeM chief Masood Azhar as ‘Global Terrorist’

KD Desk
-
0
UNSC declares JeM chief Masood Azhar as ‘Global Terrorist’


Pak to enforce sanctions on him; US, France welcome move



KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, May 1: The United Nation’s Sanctions Committee has declared Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

Earlier, China said on Tuesday that the vexed issue of designating Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN will be properly resolved.

China had put a hold in March on a fresh proposal by the US, UK and France to impose a ban on the chief of the JeM which claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama terror attack.

The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist and India had moved the proposal several times. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India’s proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee.

The move is seen as a huge diplomatic win for India after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist him under the Security Council’s Sanctions Committee.

 “Big, small, all join together. Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in @UN Sanctions list. Grateful to all for their support,” India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

When asked whether China has lifted the hold, Mr. Akbaruddin told PTI that “yes, done.” China removed its hold on the proposal, which was moved by France, U.K. and the U.S. in the Security Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in February just days after the horrific terror attack against Indians security forces in Pulwama carried out by the Pakistan-based terror outfit.

Meanwhile, hours after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Wednesday designated Masood Azhar a global terrorist, Pakistan said it would immediately enforce the sanctions imposed on the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief.

“This entails a ban on foreign travel, asset freeze and arms embargo. Earlier proposals to list Masood Azhar failed to generate the requisite consensus in the Sanctions Committee as the information did not meet its technical criteria. These proposals were aimed at maligning Pakistan,” Dawn quoted Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal as saying.

Faisal further said the listing of Azhar had been agreed after all political references were removed, including attempts to link the issue with Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

France and the US were among the first nations to welcome the UN move as China lifted its technical hold on Azhar’s listing under the UNSC 1267 sanctions committee.

China, which had blocked proposals to list Azhar as a global terrorist four times in the past 10 years, said Beijing lifted its hold after it found no objection to the listing proposal by the US, the UK and France.

“On this listing issue, China has been communicating with relevant parties in a constructive and responsible fashion. Recently, relevant countries revised and re-submitted the materials for the listing proposal to the 1267 Committee. After careful study of the revised materials and taking into consideration the opinions of relevant parties concerned, China does not have an objection to the listing proposal,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

Shuang held that in international counter-terrorism cooperation consensus had to be built through dialogue and technical issues should not be politicised even as he stressed that Pakistan had made enormous contributions in fighting terrorism.

“The proper settlement of the above-mentioned issue again shows that in international counter-terrorism cooperation, we have to uphold the rules and procedures of relevant UN body, follow the principle of mutual respect, resolve differences and build consensus through dialogue, and prevent politicising technical issues,” he added.

Masood Azhar designated as global terrorist as China lifts technical hold; PM Modi calls it a big victory

France, US among first countries to welcome move

France, one of the sponsors of the proposal to list Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN, was the first country to welcome the move. “This decision taken at the United Nations Security Council signals the successful realisation of our efforts,” the French Foreign Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the US sought “sustained actions” from Pakistan against terrorism as outlined in its National Action Plan.

 “We are encouraged by the initial steps taken by the Government of Pakistan…We look forward to further and sustained actions from Pakistan as outlined in its National Action Plan, and consistent with its international obligations,” a spokesperson for the US mission in UN said.

The US, the UK and France had moved the proposal to designate Azhar as a “global terrorist” in the UN Security Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in February, just days after the Pulwama terror attack. (Agencies)

Can understand your pain and suffering: Omar to Pulwama people

KD Desk
-
0
Can understand your pain and suffering: Omar to Pulwama people

Srinagar, May 1 : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the party is privy to the anger and despair that is writ large on the  face of people in Pulwama, asking the people to vote in favour of NC “to make New Delhi accountable” for what they did during the last five years.

According to a statement issued, Omar while addressing a public meet at party headquarters Mujahid Manzil in Pulwama, said: “Little did the people of Pulwama know that those who they had voted for will exploit their votes to grind their own axe and to wield the power. The people of Pulwama came out in large numbers to cast their votes in 2014 elections to secure a better future for their children, for development. However, nothing of that sort happened, on the contrary, we see gloom writ large on the faces of the people of Pulwama. The party, who you voted for, berated and belittled your mandate to ascend the altar of power.”

“The pluralistic and vivacious spirit of Pulwama was shattered by CASOs, crackdowns, blinding, arrests, and innumerable other torments. Now an opportunity is tapping your door, you have to utilize it to show your rage to PDP for letting loose the mammoth of destruction in Pulwama by hobnobbing with BJP. You have to utilize this opportunity and not let it go unutilized without expressing your anger on PDP through the use of the ballot,” he said.

Omar while appreciating the people of Pulwama for upholding the spirit of inter communal camaraderie and tolerance said: “People of Pulwama never allowed them get swayed by communal strife. The sanctimonious disposition of the people of Pulwama was exhibited at various instances be it reconstruction of a temple or rescuing the Yatris.”

Party vice president while asking the people to support Justice (Retd.) Masoodi said: “In the ensuing elections, we have to make it a point to punish PDP for depriving the people of Pulwama of peace, prosperity.  This time you have to make a head way in sending a right person to Delhi who could make public the ordeal that the people of Pulwama are facing since 2014. Masoodi sahib has it all what it takes to be a good representative; he has no personal axe to grind. On sixth of May you should come out and vote for him. This shall be the first step towards bring to a halt all the miseries unleashed on you by former BJP-PDP government.” 

Policeman injured critically in Srinagar militant attack

KD Desk
-
0
Policeman injured critically in Srinagar militant attack

Sarfaraz Ah Lone

Srinagar, May 1 : A police constable was injured critically after fired upon by militants at Khanyar area of Srinagar district on Wednesday late evening.

Official sources said that the gunmen believed to be militants barged inside the home of the policeman namely Mohammad Iliyas and fired upon him at Kaw Mohalla Khanyar.

In the incident, Iliyas, suffered serious bullet wounds and was shifted to SMHS hospital for treatment,” they said.

Sources said that Iliyas, a selection grade constable, is presently working in police department’s intelligence wing at Handwara.

A police officer also confirmed the incident and said that the area has been cordoned off to nab the assailants. (GNS)

Northern Army Commander Reviews Security Situation In Valley

KD Desk
-
0
Northern Army Commander Reviews Security Situation In Valley

Srinagar, May 1 : Continuing with his visit to the Valley, the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Wednesday reviewed the prevailing security situation and strategy for counter militant operations in North Kashmir.

He also held interactions with senior dignitaries at Badami Bagh Cantonment here.

Later in the day, the Army Commander also visited 144Th Battalion of Central Reserve Police deployed in Dal Lake. He appreciated the round the clock efforts of Paramilitary troops and their synergetic teamwork with the Army and J&K Police to maintain peace and tranquility in the Valley. 

1...4,6904,6914,692...5,048Page 4,691 of 5,048

About us

Established as English Daily Newspaper in 2011, “The Kashmir Despatch” is registered with the Registrar of Newspapers of India (RNI) vide its number JKENG/2011/39338.

Company

The latest

© Kashmir Despatch. All Rights Reserved. Made with GITS