At least 40 injured as Indian forces open fire on Muharram procession in IoK

At least 40 people were wounded after Indian forces fired shotgun pellets and tear gas shells at a Muharram procession in occupied Kashmir, witnesses said.

Indian authorities had reimposed the ban on Thursday after clashes with mourners who wanted to stage traditional processions for during the holy month.

Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP that the procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of the main city of Srinagar and that government forces were present in heavy numbers.

Ali and other people who witnessed the clashes said security forces fired pellets and tear gas shells to break up the gathering.

"The forces fired pellets at the procession that was mainly peaceful and included women," said another witness Iqbal Ahmad.

At least 40 people were injured, according to witnesses.

About 25 people were taken to a nearby clinic with pellet wounds, some with their faces and bodies covered in pellet marks, a doctor there told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"We moved about a dozen people to other facilities for more advanced treatment," the doctor said.

A police official confirmed the incident, saying: "Some people had gathered and were trying to start a procession, they were dispersed." He did not give details of casualties.

Muharram processions to mourn Imam Hussain, the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who was martyred in a battle about 1400 years ago at Karbala, are held around the world but have been regularly banned in occupied Kashmir since an uprising erupted in 1989.

The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan, who both claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

Last year India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory. Tensions have risen since.

Muslims in the procession chanted pro-separatist and an anti-Indian slogans, other witnesses said.

Several arrests have been made this week of people shouting against Indian rule when processions have been attempted, a police official said. Some have been charged under anti-terrorism laws.

Dozens of mourners were detained in Srinagar on Friday after they tried to start Muharram processions.

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Pakistani leaders send out messages to commemorate youm-e-ashur

Amid foolproof security, Youm-e-Ashur is being marked with solemnity across Pakistan to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and other martyrs of Karbala.

Ministers, government functionaries, and political leaders have sent out messages to commemorate Youm-e-Ashur, urging people to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) in resisting tyranny, falsehood, and oppression.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “Let us draw strength from the legacy of Imam Hussain Ibn e Ali (A.S), the embodiment of bravery and determination in the face of oppression and tyranny. May we learn to meet every challenge ahead with the same fortitude and courage.”

Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz said the 10th of Muharram is the day of the victory of truth. “Ashura is a message of resistance against oppression,” he said, adding the deeds and teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain are a beacon of light for Muslims.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said: “Mankind will remain indebted to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) for his supreme sacrifice in the path of truth & justice. His example of patience & trust in Allah in the face of extreme brutality & oppression has been a source of inspiration to the oppressed people around the world!”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said tyranny and falsehood wherever it may be, whether nearer the home or far away, whether in Kashmir or in Palestine, must be fought and the tyrant’s head put down.

“Torture and enforced disappearances are also a tyranny and the Yom-e-Ashur this year is significant also as it falls on the eve of international day of the disappeared.”

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said Karbala is the greatest example of raising voice and rendering sacrifice for truth.

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IT exports recorded at $1.231 billion

Pakistan's Information Technology and IT-enabled Services export remittances comprising of computer services and call center services recorded export of 1.231 billion dollar at a growth rate of 23.71 percent in the financial year 2019-20.

In a tweet the Ministry of IT and Telecom, said, the fiscal year 2019-20 has been a great year for IT & ITeS Export, 1.231 billion rupee has been recorded in IT & ITeS export at a growth rate of 23.71% as compared to the FY 2018-19.

According to performance report of Pakistan Software Export Board, an organization under Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, IT Industry had been a star in Pakistan’s economy and had achieved positive year on year growth as a result of strong government support, skilled entrepreneurs and a talented workforce.

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Pakistani leaders send out messages to commemorate youm-e-ashur

Amid foolproof security, Youm-e-Ashur is being marked with solemnity across Pakistan to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and other martyrs of Karbala.

Ministers, government functionaries, and political leaders have sent out messages to commemorate Youm-e-Ashur, urging people to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) in resisting tyranny, falsehood, and oppression.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “Let us draw strength from the legacy of Imam Hussain Ibn e Ali (A.S), the embodiment of bravery and determination in the face of oppression and tyranny. May we learn to meet every challenge ahead with the same fortitude and courage.”

Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz said the 10th of Muharram is the day of the victory of truth. “Ashura is a message of resistance against oppression,” he said, adding the deeds and teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain are a beacon of light for Muslims.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said: “Mankind will remain indebted to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) for his supreme sacrifice in the path of truth & justice. His example of patience & trust in Allah in the face of extreme brutality & oppression has been a source of inspiration to the oppressed people around the world!”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said tyranny and falsehood wherever it may be, whether nearer the home or far away, whether in Kashmir or in Palestine, must be fought and the tyrant’s head put down.

“Torture and enforced disappearances are also a tyranny and the Yom-e-Ashur this year is significant also as it falls on the eve of international day of the disappeared.”

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said Karbala is the greatest example of raising voice and rendering sacrifice for truth.

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At least 40 injured as Indian forces open fire on Muharram procession in IoK

At least 40 people were wounded after Indian forces fired shotgun pellets and tear gas shells at a Muharram procession in occupied Kashmir, witnesses said.

Indian authorities had reimposed the ban on Thursday after clashes with mourners who wanted to stage traditional processions for during the holy month.

Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP that the procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of the main city of Srinagar and that government forces were present in heavy numbers.

Ali and other people who witnessed the clashes said security forces fired pellets and tear gas shells to break up the gathering.

"The forces fired pellets at the procession that was mainly peaceful and included women," said another witness Iqbal Ahmad.

At least 40 people were injured, according to witnesses.

About 25 people were taken to a nearby clinic with pellet wounds, some with their faces and bodies covered in pellet marks, a doctor there told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"We moved about a dozen people to other facilities for more advanced treatment," the doctor said.

A police official confirmed the incident, saying: "Some people had gathered and were trying to start a procession, they were dispersed." He did not give details of casualties.

Muharram processions to mourn Imam Hussain, the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who was martyred in a battle about 1400 years ago at Karbala, are held around the world but have been regularly banned in occupied Kashmir since an uprising erupted in 1989.

The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan, who both claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

Last year India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory. Tensions have risen since.

Muslims in the procession chanted pro-separatist and an anti-Indian slogans, other witnesses said.

Several arrests have been made this week of people shouting against Indian rule when processions have been attempted, a police official said. Some have been charged under anti-terrorism laws.

Dozens of mourners were detained in Srinagar on Friday after they tried to start Muharram processions.

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Passing on knowledge': Azhar Mahmood says happy to help England bowlers

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood says he has no cenerns about coaching England during the ongoing T20 series as he was happy to "pass my experience" regardless of nationality.

Mahmood, 45, appeared in 164 international matches for Pakistan and was their bowling coach under Mickey Arthur before a new regime led by former captain Misbah-ul-Haq was installed last year after a disappointing World Cup.

Now Mahmood, who knows many of the England coaching staff from his time in county cricket, has been brought in as a bowling consultant by the hosts for the three-match T20 series in Manchester.

"Cricket has given me a lot," Mahmood told AFP in a telephone interview on Saturday. "Now I want to pass on my experience — it doesn't matter whether a player is from England or Pakistan or wherever."

Mahmood, criticised within Pakistan for his England role, said his situation was no different from the one he often found himself in as an in-demand all-rounder.

"I'm a professional, I've played in leagues with different teams," he explained. "I know my role."

England head coach Chris Silverwood has handed over the reins for the series to assistant Graham Thorpe, a former England batsman who played alongside Mahmood at Surrey.

Another England connection is with white-ball captain Eoin Morgan — he was with Mahmood when the former Pakistan international was coaching Karachi in the Pakistan Super League.

"They have seen my ability working with players," Mahmood said. "Eoin Morgan told me 'we know your skills'. They are a really great bunch of people, the England coaching staff, and this is a great opportunity for me."

With 50-over world champions England so far maintaining separate red and white-ball squads in a season compressed by the coronavirus outbreak, they are without frontline bowlers such as Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer for the Pakistan T20s.

That means more opportunities for young pacemen including Saqib Mahmood and Tom Curran, although they did not bowl during Friday's weather-curtailed match at Old Trafford, which ended with no result.

Mahmood, a BBC television analyst during Pakistan's 1-0 loss to England in a Test series earlier this month, believes it is his experience of working with youthful quicks, as much as any inside knowledge, that may have led England to invite him to join their set-up.

Grown up in my hands
"Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and now Shaheen Shah Afridi — they have all grown up in my hands," Mahmood said of his role in developing three pacemen who are all in Pakistan's T20 squad.

"They [England] have seen my ability."

Mahmood said he was especially proud of the part he played in helping Pakistan win the 2017 Champions Trophy and in a nine-wicket victory over England in the first Test at Lord's the following year.

"I was glad to help them win the Champions Trophy and that Test at Lord's with a young attack — we achieved a lot in a short period of time," he recalled.

South African coach Arthur, now in charge of Sri Lanka, said he was disappointed by the way his three-year spell in charge ended after New Zealand pipped Pakistan to a last-four spot at last year's World Cup on net run-rate.

But Mahmood knew what was coming.

"I wasn't sad," he said. "The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) had asked me to extend my contract until the World Cup.

"When we didn't get to the semi-finals, I knew from my own experience as a player at the 2003 World Cup that whenever you don't win something, or at least get to the knockout stages, someone was going to go — be it players or coaches. This is how it is in Pakistan."

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Debt burden on Pakistan increased, the economy was severely affected

Finance ministry on Saturday said that the debt burden on the economy has reached upto 87.2 percent, terming the rise mainly due to the impact of coronavirus on the economy.

A spokesman for the ministry said that the debt burden on the economy stood at 86.1 percent in June 2019 and witnessed an improvement of two percent by December 2019 to reach 84 percent.

The coronavirus impacted the economy, he said after the debt witnessed a three percent increase from December 2019 to June 2020.

We had lowered our expenditure in February 2020 and even tackled the current account deficit before the pandemic hit the country, the spokesman said adding that the COVID-19 changed the fiscal position since then.

Besides, remittances suffering a huge blow owing to coronavirus, the growth rate also sustained a setback due to the pandemic, the finance ministry official said.

He said that the government was committed to bring down the percentage of debt burden on the economy. “We are strictly following a financial discipline for this purpose,” the spokesman said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Ministry on July 28 issued the monthly economic outlook of the country for July 2020, showing a decline in exports and imports of the country during the previous fiscal year 2019-20.

According to the finance ministry, the exports have witnessed a 7.2 percent decline in the previous year and stood at United States Dollar 22.5 billion.

Imports also witnessed a decline of 18.2 percent and stood at Rs US$42.4 billion, the report highlighted showcasing a trade deficit of 27.9 percent at US$19.9 billion.

The workers’ remittance surged to US$23.1 billion, witnessing a 6.4 percent raise. The current account deficit remained at US$3 billion, showing a decline of 77.9 percent, showed the economic outlook report.a

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