Tag: United States

  • Political use of ‘diplomatic cable’ to haunt Pakistan’s Foreign Office for many years: report

    Political use of ‘diplomatic cable’ to haunt Pakistan’s Foreign Office for many years: report

    The ‘diplomatic cable’ which has plunged Pakistan into a constitutional crisis, also attracted fair resentment from the Foreign Office (FO) against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for using the communique for gaining ‘political mileage’.

    Kamran Yousaf in his report for The Express Tribune writes, “Two Foreign Office officials, spoke to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the issue, revealed that the diplomats were not happy with the controversy.”

    One diplomatic on condition of anonymity told Yousaf that the repercussions of the way the government used “secret and classified communication” to achieve its “political objectives and its negative impact” would be felt in the FO for “many years” to come.

    “Diplomats are eyes and ears of Pakistan who give frank and honest feedback from the countries where they serve,” the official added.

    “Such honest and candid assessments are meant for policymakers to devise a strategy accordingly,” the official explained.

    “But if governments start using such secret communications for their political gains, then the diplomats would be reluctant to write honest assessments,” the official cautioned.

    “If the Foreign Office start making public diplomatic cables, people would be blown away,” the official said, insisting such candid discussions between diplomats are common.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on April 3, named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the “threatening diplomatic cable”.

    PM Khan on March 27 claimed that the Opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government. It is pertinent to mention here that the Opposition tabled the no-confidence motion against PM Khan on March 8. The government claims to have received the threatening communique on March 7.

  • US official Khan named behind ‘foreign conspiracy’ key person in IMF deals last year

    US official Khan named behind ‘foreign conspiracy’ key person in IMF deals last year

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had the a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the ‘threatening’ diplomatic cable.

    Khan said that the US had sent a threatening message through Pakistan’s Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan. He was quoted as saying that Donald Lu had reportedly in a meeting with Majeed warned that there could be implications if he survived the Opposition’s no-confidence motion tabled against him in the National Assembly.

    We are following developments in Pakistan and we respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law: Lu

    Indian newspaper, The Hindustan Times, interviewed Lu in Washington this Friday and asked him about reports that he was the US official to warn the Pakistani ambassador of the consequences if Imran Khan stays in power.

    Hindustan Times: “Let me move to the rest of the region and start with Pakistan. Imran Khan seems to suggest that you had a conversation with the Pakistani ambassador in the US and told him that if Imran Khan survives the no-confidence motion, Pakistan is in trouble and the US won’t forgive Pakistan. Any response?”

    Donald Lu said, “We are following developments in Pakistan and we respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law.”

    The assistant secretary was asked, “Did you have such a conversation?” Lu replied, “That’s all I have for you on that question.”

    Who is Donald Lu?

    Donald Lu became Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on September 15, 2021. Prior to this assignment, Assistant Secretary Lu served as the US Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic from 2018 to 2021.

    Lu is a Foreign Service Officer with more than 30 years of US government service.

    Samaa News reported, “Donald Lu’s last major interaction with a Pakistani official came in October 2021 when a Pakistani finance ministry delegation was holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington.”

    On October 15, Shaukat Tarin and Donald Lu held talks at the Pakistan embassy in Washington and the finance minister assured the US official that the PTI government would live up to its promise of economic reforms.

    Pakistan embassy also issued a statement on the meeting between Donald Lu and Shaukat Tarin.

    Ten days after the March 7 meeting, the date on which the government alleges to have received the threatening communique, Lu attended an event organised by the Pakistan Embassy on March 16 to recognise and appreciate prominent women who are leading in their respective fields.

    He addressed the event along with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. In his tweet, Ambassador Majeed thanked Lu and Lee for sharing their perspectives.

  • Man murders girlfriend over a small argument

    Man murders girlfriend over a small argument

    A man named Daniel Padilla-Ang, 27, murdered his girlfriend in a trivial argument after he broke her vape. The incident took place in the Orem city of Utah, United States(US).

    According to the details, Ang’s girlfriend slapped him after he broke her vape. He then strangled her to death.

    Ang called the police helpline 911 after committing the murder around 3 am. When the police reached his house, he said, “I just strangled my girlfriend to death. She’s dead … It was me.” He said he was ready to surrender himself.

    During interrogation, Padilla-Ang revealed that they were in a relationship for many months.

    He added, “She had come to my apartment the day before and we consumed alcohol that night.” He further said that he wanted to use his girlfriend’s vape pen, which she refused to give him. He then snatched the vape pen from her and broke it. The victim became furious and she slapped and pushed him.

    Ang then strangled his girlfriend to death. After she passed out, he started punching her.

    “He put his hands over (her) mouth and pinched her nose to see if she was still breathing. When she did not struggle, he knew she was dead,” the report says.

    Padilla-Ang drank more alcohol and informed his family via text messages that he killed his girlfriend and he would not be able to see them for a while.

    The police also revealed that he had a criminal record of domestic violence and was arrested five times in the last eight years.

  • Rejected: White House says they have nothing to do with Khan’s allegation of a US-backed ‘foreign conspiracy’

    Rejected: White House says they have nothing to do with Khan’s allegation of a US-backed ‘foreign conspiracy’

    The White House has rejected Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s allegations of the United States government’s involvement in a plot to remove him.

    Responding to media questions regarding the issue, White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said, “There is absolutely no truth to the allegation.”

    US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said, “We are closely following developments in Pakistan. We respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law. But when it comes to those allegations, there is no truth to them.”

    On Thursday evening, PM Khan named the US as the country that threatened to remove him in a live address. 

  • Oscars 2022 Winners: Deaf actor Troy marks a historic win at Academy Awards

    Oscars 2022 Winners: Deaf actor Troy marks a historic win at Academy Awards

    94th Academy Awards kick started in Los Angeles, United States (US) on March 27, 2022. This time, the prestigious award ceremony also celebrated a win for a differently-abled actor however it also witnessed violence on the stage of Academy Awards 2022.

    American actor, Troy Kotsur has made history for the first time as a deaf male actor to win Academy Awards 2022 for Best Male Actor in Supporting Role in ‘CODA'(Child of Deaf Adults).

    Oscar-winning Korean actress, Youn Yuh Jung, presented the award to Troy Kotsur. He received heartfelt support from Yuh Jung who used sign language to announce his name as the winner. He got a standing ovation and applause in sign language from the audience.

    Troy Kotsur made an emotional speech and dedicate the award to his father.

    The actor said, “My dad, he was the best signer in our family, but he was in a car accident and he became paralyzed from the neck down and he no longer was able to sing. Dad, I learned so much from you. I’ll always love you. You are my hero.”

    CODA also took the award for Best Picture in Oscars 2022 which is a historic win for the deaf community.

    American actor, Will Smith also sparked a controversy when he slapped comedian Chris Rock on the stage because the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jade Pinkett Smith.

    Rock made a joke about Jade Pinkett Smith starring in “G.I. Jane 2” because of her baldness while announcing the best Documentary Feature. He was referencing the 1997 movie, G.I Jane in which Demi Moore portrayed a character with a shaved head. Pinkett Smith has a medical condition, alopecia which causes hair loss.

    British-Pakistani, Riz Ahmed also bagged the first oscar award along with director/writer Aneil Karia for the Best Live-Action Short Film, The Long Goodbye. Riz Ahmed is the co-writer and also starred in the short film.

    Here is the full list of winners of the Academy Awards 2022:

    BEST PICTURE
    CODA 

    BEST DIRECTOR
    Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) 

    BEST ACTRESS
    Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)

    BEST ACTOR
    Will Smith (King Richard)

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
    Troy Kotsur (CODA)

    BEST COSTUME DESIGN
    Cruella (Jenny Beavan)

    BEST SOUND
    Dune

    BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
    Dune

    BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    CODA

    BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    Belfast

    BEST ANIMATED SHORT
    The Windshield Wiper

    BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT
    The Long Goodbye

    BEST FILM EDITING
    Dune

    BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
    The Eyes of Tammy Faye

    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
    Encanto

    BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
    Summer of Soul

    BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
    The Queen of Basketball 

    BEST ORIGINAL SONG
    No Time to Die

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
    Dune

    BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
    Drive My Car (Japan) 

    BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
    Dune

    BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
    Dune

    .

  • Mehwish Hayat slams fan for trying to wrap his arm around her

    Mehwish Hayat slams fan for trying to wrap his arm around her

    Famous Pakistan actress, Mehwish Hayat has criticised a fan on Instagram who was trying to wrap his arm around her in a fan meeting arranged in Houston, Texas in the United States (US).

    The Chhalawa diva mentioned that she wasn’t aware of the incident until a fan page posted the video in which it is clearly shown that a fan was trying to wrap his arm around her, however, the CEO of HUM FM, Rehan Siddiqi pushed him away.

    She reshared the video of an incident on her official Instagram story and wrote, “Shocked at how much liberty fans sometimes think they can take with artists.”

    She also thanked and appreciated being a true gentleman to Siddiqi. Rehan also reshared the story on his Instagram and wrote, “Some people need to learn manners of meet & greet when around women. I had to do this to this uncle.”

  • ‘Jungkook cried a lot’: BTS member Jimin opens up on dramatic fight with Jungkook

    ‘Jungkook cried a lot’: BTS member Jimin opens up on dramatic fight with Jungkook

    South Korean band BTS has garnered a huge fan following across the world in the last eight years and their every new release sets a new record in the global music market. Apart from their hit songs, the band members also indulge in fun activities, clips of which can be found on several video streaming platforms.

    During a recent interview, member Jimin and Jungkook had opened up about getting into a fight, years back, only to reconcile within the next few hours in the most dramatic way possible.

    When BTS’ Jimin Revealed How He Had A Dramatic Fight With Jungkook

    A few weeks back, their managing company announced that the band will be performing at the capital of their home country, South Korea. Most reports also suggest that they are currently working on their next album which will most probably drop before the end of 2022.

    During an interaction on BTS Festa, BTS members Jimin and Jungkook had revealed how they got into a fight in one of the studios. “We had a fight in the practice studio on a rainy day. After the fight, I got so angry. I told him, ‘do whatever you want’ and left the room. I walked to our house; it was a 20-minute walk from the studio. Then I got a call from Jungkook saying, ‘Jimin, I am so sorry,’ to which I stated, ‘I said don’t call me!’”

    BTS: When Jimin-Jungkook had a nasty fight and patched things up in K-drama style in the rain!

    Explaining how the dramatic reunion happened, Jimin further said, “I asked, ‘where are you?’ Then, he said, ‘I don’t know.’ So, I said, ‘Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.’” Jungkook explained how he decided to take a taxi home that day and almost got jumped on by Jimin making him cry inconsolably.

    “Yes. So, I was waiting for him in the rain. When Jungkook arrived. I hugged him tightly like in Slam Dunk calling, ‘Jungkook!’ Jungkook cried a lot that day.”, Jimin added.

  • ‘Putin has no idea what’s coming’: Biden closes all airspace to Russian flights

    ‘Putin has no idea what’s coming’: Biden closes all airspace to Russian flights

    United States (US) President Joe Biden, while addressing a joint session of Congress, announced that the US is closing its airspace to all Russian flights.

    Biden said, “Tonight, I’m announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding an additional squeeze on their economy”, further adding that Putin has no idea what’s coming.

    Biden said the country is imposing “powerful sanctions” on Russia. He repeatedly hit out at Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, saying that Putin alone is to blame for the war.

    During the address, the US President also paid a nod to Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, who was in attendance.

    The US has shown support to Ukraine after the Russian invasion. However, Biden has made it clear that the country will not send troops to fight Russia in Ukraine.

    Currently, Russia is showing no sign of stopping an assault that has included strikes on the Ukrainian capital i.e Kyiv and Kharkiv. Dozens have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled the country to seek shelter.

    Earlier this week, both Moscow and Ukraine sat together for talks on the Ukraine-Belarus border with the aim of an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces but no decision could be made.

  • Former DG ISI had around $12.9million in offshore accounts in the1980s: Swiss Leaks

    Former DG ISI had around $12.9million in offshore accounts in the1980s: Swiss Leaks

    A leak from a Swiss bank has revealed that around 1,400 individuals residing in Pakistan are linked with around 600 accounts opened in Credit Suisse.

    The average maximum balance in accounts held by Pakistanis was 4.42 million Swiss francs (Rs841 million) compared with the overall average of the leaked data, which stood at 7.5 million Swiss francs (Rs1.42 billion). Almost 200 clients found in the data are worth more than 100 million Swiss francs (Rs19 billion) and more than a dozen had accounts valued in the billions, reports The News.

    Senior intelligence officials and their offspring from several countries that cooperated with the United States (US) in the war on terrorism also had money stashed at Credit Suisse.

    General Zia-ul-Haq’s closest aide and former Director-General (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) General Akhtar Abdur Rahman Khan’s name was also part of the list.

    “As the head of the Pakistani intelligence agency, General Akhtar Abdur Rahman Khan helped funnel billions of dollars in cash and other aid from the United States (US) and other countries to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan to support their fight against the Soviet Union,” reports The New York Times (NYT).

    According to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project’s (OCCRP) report, the Saudi Arabian and US funding for mujahideen fighters battling Russia’s presence in Afghanistan would go to the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) Swiss bank account. “The end recipient in the process was Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence group (ISI), [at the time] led by Akhtar,” the report said.

    “The report states that by the mid-1980s, Akhtar was adept at getting CIA cash into the hands of Afghan jihadists. It was around this time that Credit Suisse accounts were opened in the names of his three sons.”

    OCCRP’s report stated that one of the two Akhtar family accounts at Credit Suisse — held jointly by three of Akhtar’s sons — was opened on July 1, 1985. That same year, US President Ronald Reagan would raise concerns about where the money intended for the mujahideen was going. By 2003, this account was worth at least five million Swiss francs ($3.7 million at the time). A second account, opened in January 1986 in Akbar’s name alone, was worth more than 9 million Swiss francs by November 2010 ($9.2 million at the time).”

    Two of the general’s sons, Akbar and Haroon Khan, did not respond to requests for comment from the reporting project. In a text message, a third son, Ghazi Khan, called information about the accounts “not correct,” adding, “The content is conjectural.”

  • US becomes friendly when in need, later abandons Pakistan: PM Khan

    US becomes friendly when in need, later abandons Pakistan: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the United States (US) has also been “a good friend of Pakistan” but it hasn’t been an “all-weather friend” like China.

    In an interview with Dr Eric Li, Director of the Advisory Committee of the China Institute of Fudan University, PM Khan said: “There have been times when the US has been very friendly but then when they think Pakistan is not of use to them, then we get abandoned. Then they again sort of become friendly.” PM said that Pakistan became a frontline state against the Soviets in Afghanistan, Pakistan became a friend of the US, and “they even helped us and they were good to us”. He added that the moment the Soviets left, “they slapped sanctions on Pakistan”.

    “Ten years later when 9/11 happened, they [the US] again became very good to us but then when they could not win against Afghanistan, then we [Pakistan] were blamed for this debacle,” said PM Khan.

    PM Imran Khan said that with China, our relationship has been consistent for seven decades regardless of the government in power. “It’s a people-to-people friendship.”

    “When you have no clear aims why you invaded a country, it is going to be a failure. Anyone who thinks of controlling the Afghan people has not read their history,” said PM Khan when asked about the situation after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. He added that the whole mission of the US in Afghanistan was “based on a false premise”.

    On Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, PM said, “If Afghanistan descends into chaos because of the sanctions, as its 75 percent economy depends on foreign aid, this will be the biggest manmade human disaster.”

    https://twitter.com/appcsocialmedia/status/1491987521630355456