India resorts to firing at LoC on Pakistan Independence Day

RAWALPINDI: Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) early Sunday on the morning of August 14, the day marking Pakistan's independence 70 years ago.

According to a statement by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the cross-border firing took place on the LoC in Nezapir sector near Rawlakot.

The unprovoked firing "started at 0200 hrs lasted till 0830 hrs on 14 August". ISPR said some shells landed at civilian houses, though nobody was reported hurt.

"India used all types of heavy weapons including mortar and artillery. Some of rounds landed at even civilian houses near LoC. No loss of life reported so far," it said.

Pakistani troops befittingly responded to Indian unprovoked firing, said the ISPR.

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Independence Day: President pays homage to martyrs of war against terrorismÂ

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday hoisted the national flag at an Independence Day event here and said that every single drop of blood of the people martyred due to terrorism is a loan on the nation.

The president and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also attended the event at the Jinnah Convention Centre in the capital, which was also attended by the chiefs of the three armed forces.

The president in his address said that in the war against terrorism the entire nation is standing side by side with the armed forces.

Pakistan's future is in a strong democracy that would ensure progress, prosperity, and development of the country, he said.

“Our hearts are sad over the Quetta incident,” said President Mamnoon Hussain on the recent massive tragedy in which 73 people lost their lives.

He said that the families bereaved by the Quetta incident should not consider themselves alone.

He also said that the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb is in its last stage, adding that the results of the military operation are encouraging under the National Action Plan.

The president in his address also expressed solidarity with Kashmiris. “We should not forget our Kashmiri brethren on the Independence Day,” he said.

He said that political, moral and diplomatic support would continue for the Kashmiris.

The president urged the nation to stand united and rise above petty differences and carry on the mission of Tehreek e Pakistan, with a commitment in the next phase to make Pakistan a strong democratic entity.

At the event, national anthem was also recited.

Pakistan is celebrating its 70th Independence Day today with national zeal and fervor.

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Cellular services suspended in 40 cities on Independence Day

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has decided to suspend cellular phone services in 40 cities including Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore as part of security measures on the occasion of Independence Day on Sunday.

Official sources said the mobile phone service will remain suspended from 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m in Karachi and from 5:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m in Islamabad’s convention centre and its adjacent areas.

Sources said the Ministry of Interior has forwarded a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend cellular services.

Cellular phones will also remain silent in Peshawar today.

District Administration of Islamabad Capital Territory had earlier recommended Interior Ministry to suspend the mobile networks.

It is pertinent to mention here that security has been tightened all across the country following the Quetta incident. Combing operation by security forces is also underway in various parts of the country.

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Saudi sprinter in hijab makes history at Rio Olympics

One of the highlights of the ongoing Rio Olympics came from nowhere else than Saudi Arabia, when its female Sprinter Kariman Abuljadayel participated in the women's 100metre race covered from head-to-toe.

Although 22-year-old Abuljadayel could not qualify for the final event as she finished at the seventh spot, but she made history being the first ever woman from the Kingdom in the sprint 100m.

The news started making rounds on social media as well with several publications bringing to notice the full body gear and hijab donned by the Saudi sprinter.Alongside her, Afghanistan's runner Kamia Yousufi also took part in the women’s 100m.

Completely dressed up in the sweltering heat, Abljadayel’s efforts drew admiration and surprise from several circles.

She is reportedly one of the mere four females participating from the kingdom in the Rio Olympics.

Interestingly, she is not the first Saudi woman to compete on an international level, as track athlete Sarah Athar also participated wearing hijab in 2012 Olympics.

It may be recalled here that the Saudi Olympic Committee lifted a ban on women competing in the Olympics in 2012 despite strong opposition from many quarters of society.

 

 

 

 

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Pakistan celebrates 70th Independence Day

KARACHI: Pakistan is celebrating its 70th Independence Day today (Sunday) with national zeal and fervor.

All major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, posters, and banners for the Independence Day festivities.

The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country, to be followed by thirty-one gun salute in the federal and twenty-one gun salute at the provincial capitals.

The main event of the day would be the flag hoisting ceremony at the Convention Center in the federal capital Islamabad. President Mamnoon Hussain, the chief guest at the event, will also address the nation on the occasion.

Mobile phone services would remain suspended in several parts of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and other high-security areas in major cities ? a step taken to ensure security on the occasion of the country's Independence Day.

Cellular services are expected to remain blocked from 6am to 11am in Islamabad and from 6am to 2pm in parts other big cities of the country.

Different buildings and landmarks in Karachi decorated to celebrate Jashn e Azadi. #Karachi #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/3yAfdWhG5U

? Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) August 13, 2016

Meanwhile, a change of guard ceremony is to be held at the mausoleum of the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal this morning, while flag hoisting ceremonies will also be held at important national buildings and institutions in the provincial capitals.    

Coincidentally, the Pakistani cricket team was on the verge of gifting the nation with victory in a Test match in England, the country?s former colonizers.

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Pakistan celebrates 70th Independence Day

KARACHI: Pakistan is celebrating its 70th Independence Day today (Sunday) with national zeal and fervor.

All major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, posters, and banners for the Independence Day festivities.

The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country, to be followed by thirty-one gun salute in the federal and twenty-one gun salute at the provincial capitals.

The main event of the day would be the flag hoisting ceremony at the Convention Center in the federal capital Islamabad. President Mamnoon Hussain, the chief guest at the event, will also address the nation on the occasion.

Mobile phone services would remain suspended in several parts of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and other high-security areas in major cities â€" a step taken to ensure security on the occasion of the country's Independence Day.

Cellular services are expected to remain blocked from 6am to 11am in Islamabad and from 6am to 2pm in parts other big cities of the country.

Some fire works at I I Chundrigar Road, Karachi, celebrating Azaadi. #Karachi #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/TsQgjtU5yA

â€" Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) August 13, 2016

Meanwhile, a change of guard ceremony is to be held at the mausoleum of the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal this morning, while flag hoisting ceremonies will also be held at important national buildings and institutions in the provincial capitals.    

Coincidentally, the Pakistani cricket team was on the verge of gifting the nation with victory in a Test match in England, the country’s former colonizers.

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Imran Khan claims he is being blackmailed for talking about Panama papers

RAWALPINDI: As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan continued to lead his “accountabilty movement” on Saturday he demanded to know if the government existed only to hurl allegations.

Atop his container at Katcheri Chowk in Rawalpindi Imran Khan that he is being blackmailed for talking about Panana papers. He asked why the government is not doing anything to bring back the $60 million stashed away by former President Asif Ali Zardari.

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