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India to resume talks with Pakistan after 6-month hiatus

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File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during a meeting in New Delhi. Photo: The Hindu

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during a meeting in New Delhi. Photo: The Hindu

by Munir Ahmed & Ashok Sharma, AP

India is sending its top foreign ministry official to Pakistan to resume talks after a six-month hiatus.

Taking advantage of the Cricket World Cup, where their teams play this weekend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted Friday he spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the phone and offered to further strengthen ties.

Sharif welcomed the Indian official’s proposed visit to Pakistan “to discuss all issues of common interest,” Sharif’s press secretary said in a statement in Islamabad. No dates have been announced for the visit.

Modi also said he spoke to leaders of some of India’s other neighbors — Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan — all cricket-mad nations participating in the sports competition being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

“Conveyed my best wishes for the Cricket World Cup,” Modi said.

India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar is also scheduled to visit Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan apart from Pakistan, Modi said.

Last August, India called off talks with Pakistan after its ambassador in New Delhi met with Kashmiri separatist leaders, saying the Pakistani official could either talk with India, or talk with the rebels.

The setback came shortly after India and Pakistan had agreed to resume talks in May when Sharif attended Modi’s inauguration.

As tensions increased, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire regularly in the disputed Kashmir region.

India and Pakistan have used “cricket diplomacy” to break past impasses.

Then-Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met with then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 during a World Cup cricket match in the northern city of Chandigarh, using the same cover employed in 2005 by then-President Pervez Musharraf for a meeting with Singh during an India-Pakistan cricket match.

Then-President Ziaul Haq visited Jaipur, India, to watch a cricket match between the two countries in the 1980s.

Since their independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir. Both countries control parts of the Himalayan region and claim it in its entirety.

Modi wishes Nawaz Sharif, visits Vajpayee and pays floral tribute to Malaviya on their birthdays

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Photo: PTI

Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his 65th birthday Thursday.

“On his birthday, I convey my good wishes to Mr. Nawaz Sharif and I pray that Almighty blesses him with good health,” tweeted Modi.

He visited former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence and greeted him on his 90th birthday and on being conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

In the morning, Modi took to Twitter and said there is no bigger tribute to Vajpayee than celebrating his birthday as ‘Good Governance Day’.

“There is no bigger tribute to Atal ji than celebrating his birthday as ‘Good Governance Day’ and pledging to devote ourselves to this cause,” Modi tweeted.

“Development and good governance are the only ways ahead. Together, let us make a positive impact in people’s lives and create a developed India,” said another tweet by Modi.

Vajpayee, along with late freedom fighter-educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, was Wednesday named for India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Both of them share their birthday Dec 25.

Modi Thursday paid floral tributes to educationist and Hindu Mahasabha leader Madan Mohan Malaviya on his 153th birth anniversary in Varanasi.

(IANS)

Pakistan to execute 500 terror convicts

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The decision to reinstate the death penalty for terror cases following a school massacre is condemned by human rights groups.

The feet of a victim of a Taliban attack in a school are tied together at a local hospital in Peshawar — AP

The feet of a victim of a Taliban attack in a school are tied together at a local hospital in Peshawar — AP

by Sky News

Pakistan plans to execute around 500 militants after the government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in terror cases.

It comes after Taliban gunmen killed 149 people, including 133 children, in a school massacre in the northwestern city of Peshawar last week.

Six militants have been hanged since Friday amid rising public anger over the slaughter.

Around nine gunmen stormed the army-run school on 16 December taking teachers and students hostage and killing them in classrooms.

After the deadliest terror attack in Pakistani history, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ended the six-year moratorium on the death penalty, reinstating it for terrorism-related cases.

“Interior ministry has finalised the cases of 500 convicts who have exhausted all the appeals, their mercy petitions have been turned down by the president and their executions will take place in coming weeks,” a senior government official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Of the six hanged so far, five were involved in a failed attempt to assassinate the then-military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2003, while one was involved in a 2009 attack on army headquarters.

Police, troops and paramilitary Rangers have been deployed across the country and airports and prisons put on red alert as the executions take place and troops intensify operations against Taliban militants in northwestern tribal areas.

Mr Sharif has ordered the attorney general’s office to “actively pursue” capital cases currently in the courts, a government spokesman said.

The decision to reinstate executions has been condemned by human rights groups, with the United Nations also calling for it to reconsider.

Human Rights Watch described the executions “a craven politicised reaction to the Peshawar killings” and demanded that no further hangings be carried out.

Pakistan began its de facto moratorium on civilian executions in 2008, but hanging remains on the statute books and judges continue to pass death sentences.

Before Friday’s resumption, only one person had been executed since then – a soldier convicted by a court martial and hanged in November 2012.

Modi speaks to Sharif, says India stands firmly with Pakistan

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Pakistani parents react near the site of an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014. At least 130 people were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in northwest Pakistan, officials said. AFP PHOTO/ A MAJEED

Pakistani parents react near the site of an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014. At least 130 people were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in northwest Pakistan, officials said. AFP PHOTO/ A MAJEED

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday evening spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif over phone and offered his deepest condolences for the dastardly terror attack on a school in Peshawar. He said India was ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief.

The prime minister spoke to Sharif after the latter returned from a visit to the school where around 140 people, mostly children, were slaughtered by Taliban gunmen.

“India stands firmly with Pakistan in fight against terror. Told PM Sharif we are ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief,” he tweeted.

External affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin in a tweet posted the prime minister’s statement during his talk with Sharif, which said Modi condemned in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attack in Peshawar.

Modi said the “savage killing of innocent children, who are the epitome of the finest human values, in a temple of learning was not only an attack against Pakistan, but an assault against the entire humanity”.

“At a time when the world is getting disturbingly accustomed to acts of terror, this terrible tragedy has shaken the conscience of the world,” he said.

“He said the people of India shared the heart rending pain and sorrow of the bereaved families and the people of Pakistan and stood with them in solidarity in this hour of immeasurable grief.

“He (Modi) also hoped that the children who had witnessed the horrific attack and loss of their friends would come through this trauma with counselling.”

Modi told Sharif that “this moment of shared pain and mourning is also a call for our two countries and all those who believe in humanity to join hands to decisively and comprehensively defeat terrorism, so that the children in Pakistan, India and elsewhere do not have to face a future darkened by the lengthening shadow of terrorism”.

Earlier in the day, Modi tweeted his condemnation, saying: “It is a senseless act of unspeakable brutality that has claimed lives of the most innocent of human beings – young children in their school. My heart goes out to everyone who lost their loved ones today. We share their pain & offer our deepest condolences,” he said.

(IANS)

Clashes erupt in Pakistan 'shut down' protest

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Supporters of Imran Khan clash with police as they heed his call and attempt to shut down Faisalabad city.

Ex-cricketer Khan called for "shut down" protests to pressure the federal government to step down [AFP]

Ex-cricketer Khan called for “shut down” protests to pressure the federal government to step down [AFP]

by Al Jazeera

Police have clashed with hundreds of protesters from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who were attempting to shut down the eastern city of Faisalabad as part of its leader Imran Khan’s movement against the federal government.

Police used water cannons, wooden batons and tear gas on Monday against protesters in several areas, including the central Millat Chowk area, local news television footage showed.

The situation remains tense, as supporters of the PTI, also known as the Movement for Justice party, refuse to back down.

Protesters conducted sit-ins at main intersections in the city, a major economic hub, and shouted slogans against the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government.

They burned tyres and blocked roads, while PML-N workers threw rocks and used wooden batons, prompting owners of businesses in areas where the protests were taking place to shut down their shops.

Small groups of PTI supporters have clashed with PML-N workers as well.

The protest is part of a call Khan made on November 30, calling for “shut down” protests to be held in several Pakistani cities to increase pressure on the PML-N government, before a countrywide strike on December 18.

Khan, a former cricketer, alleges that the PML-N government rigged the 2013 general elections, internationally recognised as largely free and fair, in order to sideline his party.

Since August this year, he has been leading protests around the country calling for Nawaz Sharif to resign as prime minister.

Modi, Sharif hold informal talks at Saarc retreat

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(Front L-R) Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maldives' President Abdulla Yameen, Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa attend the opening session of 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu November 26, 2014. REUTERS/Narendra Shrestha/Pool

(Front L-R) Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maldives’ President Abdulla Yameen, Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa attend the opening session of 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu November 26, 2014. REUTERS/Narendra Shrestha/Pool

Kathmandu: In a significant development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif held informal talks during the 18th Saarc Summit retreat Thursday afternoon.

Both sides maintained silence over the talks and did not divulge any details after the informal meeting.

The effect of the informal talks between Modi and Sharif was immediately reflected in the proposed agreements. The heads of state and government have agreed to sign the Saarc Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation now and decided to sign two other agreements — relating to movement of motor vehicles and railways — within three months in a big face-saver for 18th Saarc Summit host Nepal in particular and the region as a whole.

Dinesh Bhattarai, foreign relations advisor to Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who was present at the retreat, confirmed to IANS that both the leaders held informal talks after meeting each other along with other heads of the state and government.

Prime Minster Koirala pushed the leaders of the two South Asian neighbours to sit for talks, at least informally now, and break the logjam in the bilateral India-Pakistan relations.

When the two leaders were talking, other heads of state and government were also there. The retreat is an informal gathering in Saarc summits, and is referred to as “beauty time”.

In his personal talks with Modi, Koirala asked the Indian prime minister to reach out to Pakistan given its stature as Saarc leader, and its size, population and economy.

Though Modi and Sharif shook hands and talked briefly Wednesday, they had not interacted with each other at length. It was still not clear whether the two sides would hold delegation-level talks after the retreat got over Thursday afternoon.

The Saarc leaders, including Modi, Sharif and Koirala, cracked jokes, planted trees and shared personal trivia with each other.

After the retreat, the leaders have agreed to sign the Saarc Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation which will be announced in the Kathmandu Declaration later Thursday.

Because of the deadlock between India and Pakistan, the fate of three proposed agreements — related to motor vehicles, railways and energy and all pushed by New Delhi — was uncertain until Thursday.

After the retreat and unofficial talks among the leaders, the Saarc leaders have agreed to sign the energy deal now and agreed to complete the other two agreements within three months, Bhattarai said.

Located in the neighbourhood of Kathmandu Valley, the Shangrila Resort in Dhulikhel is famous for its scenic beauty.

“While watching the Himalayas and taking herbal and organic food, Modi and Sharif were seen more open and close,” a diplomat said. “The focus was on how to carry on the Saarc process and how to strengthen bilateral ties.”

The 33 food items served to the leaders were totally vegetarian. Gujarati basundi with jalebi was served to Modi as dessert.

(IANS)

Will push India, Pakistan to hold talks: Nepal foreign minister

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File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during a meeting in New Delhi. Photo: The Hindu

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during a meeting in New Delhi. Photo: The Hindu

Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said Monday that Nepal will push India and Pakistan to hold talks on the sidelines of the SAARC summit.

To end the deadlock between India and Pakistan, “we are trying to crack the nut”, he said in a television interview without divulging much details.

Though official talks between India and Pakistan are still uncertain, Nepal is likely to push the two regional leaders to one table during the retreat organised at Dhulikhel, a popular hill station near Kathmandu.

“SAARC has one very unique practice since its inception. The retreat among the heads of the state and government during the summit provides a platform to hold multilateral and bilateral talks. The talks are going to be held in a very free and frank manner to end mutual suspicion,” Pandey said during a regular press briefing Friday, hinting at the possible talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif.

SAARC needs to run like a rabbit, not a tortoise, said Pandey, as “we need harmony” among the member states.

“For that, we are trying to organise bilateral talks between India and Pakistan during the summit so that it can set an example.”

Apart from visiting heads of the state and government, foreign ministers, and foreign secretaries will also be the part of retreat. The delegates will spend over two hours in the resort famous for the scenic Himalayas.

Pandey said during his meetings with the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers, while extending invitations to attend the SAARC summit, he had already proposed such talks to them.

“I found both of them were positive in this respect. On that basis, we are making up our mind to bring them to the table,” he said.

(IANS)

Anointment ceremony of Imam Bukhari's son illegal: Delhi High Court

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Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves as he walks with Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, during his visit to in New Delhi on May 27, 2014. -AFP/File Photo

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves as he walks with Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, during his visit to in New Delhi on May 27, 2014. AFP/File Photo

New Delhi: The central government and Wakf Board Thursday told the Delhi High Court that the anointment ceremony of Jama Masjid Shahi Imam’s son as the Naib Imam (deputy Imam) was “illegal” and has no legal sanctity.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw was told by the Delhi Wakf Board that it has not given any legal sanctity on appointment of Imam and will soon hold a meeting in this regard.

The anointment ceremony is scheduled for Nov 22. The court after hearing the arguments reserved its order and will pass an order later in the day.

The court was hearing three public interest litigations (PILs) filed that said Jama Masjid is a property of the Delhi Wakf Board and Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari (Shahi Imam) as its employee cannot appoint his son as Naib Imam.

During Wednesday’s hearing counsel for Archaeological Survey of India and the central government told the court that Jama Masjid is a historical monument and it has to be decided how rule of primogeniture will apply on succession of Imam or chief cleric.

The pleas said Bukhari’s decision to anoint his 19-year-old son Shaban Bukhari, as the Naib Imam or the deputy Imam was wrong as there is no provision under the Wakf Act for hereditary appointment of the Imam.

“Despite knowing that the Imam is an employee of the Wakf Board and it’s the board which has the right to appoint an Imam, he (Bukhari) has declared his 19-year-old son to be a Naib Imam and is holding a dastar bandi ceremony for the purpose, which is purely anti-Islamic,” the pleas said.

Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque built during the Mughal era. Besides, the PILs asked the court to declare invalid the appointment of Bukhari as the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid.

The pleas also alleged that there is a “complete anarchy and misuse of power” by the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid.

Bukhari recently sparked off a controversy by announcing that he has invited Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the ceremony of anointing his son as the deputy Imam but did not feel the need to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(IANS)

Muslims condemn Imam Bukhari

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Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves as he walks with Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, during his visit to in New Delhi on May 27, 2014. -AFP/File Photo

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves as he walks with Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, during his visit to in New Delhi on May 27, 2014. AFP/File Photo

First things first, Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari, who goes by his hereditary title of “Shahi Imam” is not a representative of Muslims in this country. In fact, no individual, organisation or seminary is.

Muslims, who speak different languages, and live in different regions of this vast country have a very syncretic identity, and contrary to popular belief are not monolithic.

Secondly, Delhi’s Jama Masjid is not Makkah, Madina, or Al Aqsa (Jerusalem) for Muslims, it’s, as it has always been – a mosque, just like any other mosque. So, this ceremony of anointment of Imam Bukhari’s son to the title of ‘Nayab Shahi Imam’ (Vice Imam) has nothing to do with the faith of Islam or its followers. Without grinding words, it’s merely a personal event, given that its appointment has become a genealogical bequeathment than one based on competence, which anyways is frowned upon in Islam.

Having said that, this author is well aware that, when this “Shahi Imam” of Jama Masjid invited Nawaz Sharif and “ignored” Narendra Modi for his personal ceremony, it is, as a matter of course, has been taken by the media, political establishment and a great number from the masses, as a case of Muslims embracing the “enemy” and snubbing the “great leader”.

Nothing could be further from the partial truth.

Muslim organisations from various parts of the country have expressed their annoyance over Imam Bukhari and his act in the name of Muslims.

Shia Personal Law Board and All India Ulema Council Secretary (Mumbai) Maulana Zahir Abbas said: “The relations between India and Pakistan is critical at the moment and at this time such an act by the Imam may spread a wrong message among Indians.”

“I think, inviting Nawaz Sharif and not inviting our own PM Narendra Modi is unacceptable; if he invitied Nawaz than he should have invited our PM too,” Abbas added.

All India Ulema Council General Secretary Maulana Mehmood said: “I dont want to give this a political colour. If Bukhari has invited Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and not invited Narendra Modi, it is his personal choice, I don’t want to comment on it”.

All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Farooqi reportedly said Bukhari’s act will give the entire Muslim community a bad name.

Aligarh based, Forum for Muslim Studies and Analysis (FMSA) asked the Indian government to end by an act of parliament the “un-Islamic Imamat” that allows the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid to designate his successor from his own family.

“We do not support the BJP but once the electorate has made its choice, Modi is the prime minister of all citizens including Muslims,” said Rozaullah Khan, chairing a meeting at the Media Centre.

By inviting Sharif and ignoring Modi, Bukhari has greatly insulted Indian Muslims, he said, and urged Indian Muslims to boycott Bukhari.

FMSA Secretary Jasim Mohammad said the mentality of the Shahi Imam was not positive for Muslims and the nation. He said that while Bukhari was at liberty not to invite Modi, he should not have invited Sharif.

Another speaker, Farhat Ali Khan, said the Imamat in Jama Masjid should be run on Islamic principles. “This undemocratic Imamat must end.”

Humayun Murad, a professor, said religious heads had a duty to bring about communal harmony.

“Ahmad Bukhari has turned the Jama Masjid into a political platform. We will not allow it to go unchallenged.”

The FMSA passed a resolution condemning the Shahi Imam’s invitation to Sharif and asked the Indian government to end “this un-Islamic Imamat through an act of parliament”.

Congress MP Husain Dalwai was critical of the Shahi Imam over the ceremony, saying there is no succession act in Islam and that it was not necessary that the son of the king should succeed him.

He wondered why he should have called Pakistani Prime Minister.

“Why he did not call prime ministers of other Muslim countries?” he asked.

For the ceremony, Imam Bukhari has sent out invitations to several Indian and foreign political leaders, nearly 1,000 religious leaders from across the world, and others. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will not attend the ceremony.

We are not sure, what’s on platter for dinner, but if you are interested in going, please check it with the Imam yourselves. The grand event is on November 22.

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