RAHIM YAR KHAN (DNA) – At least 13 passengers lost their lives and 11 others sustained critical burn wounds in the wee hours of Thursday when three carriages of a Tezgam Express caught fire due to explosion in a gas stove with cylinder near Talwari Station in Liaquatpur area of Rahim Yar Khan, according to initial reports.Meanwhile, firefighters have initiated a rescue operation to extinguish the fire and other passengers are being evacuated from the train to safe places. The affected carriages are being separated from the train.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted with serious concern the statement of 29 October 2019 issued by the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on cross-border firing by the Afghan military across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.The Ministry would like to put the record straight that on 27 and 28 October 2019, Afghan military resorted to un-provoked mortar and heavy weapon firing on Pakistan military’s newly-established posts, which resulted into serious injuries to six Pakistan military soldiers.

TAKHT BHAI, Oct 30 (DNA): The Chief Monk Arayawangso of Thailand, currently visiting Pakistan has said both Pakistan and Thailand were in consultative process to introduce meditation services at Buddhists sites which would bring an influx of religious tourists and ultimately boost economy.“We might have three to five days meditation at Buddhist sites in Pakistan so that Buddhist and non-Buddhist from multiple countries can join us,” he said while speaking to media here on Wednesday at Thakht Bhai.He said Minister for Religious Affairs in a meeting had assured Pakistan’sfull support in this regard and shared his government’s plan and initiatives to promote the religious tourism.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (DNA): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has underlined the need for enhancing economic cooperation and people to people exchanges between Pakistan and Cuba to strengthen bilateral ties. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held wide-ranging talks with VicePresident of Cuba Mr. Roberto Morales Odeja along with his delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning. Cuban delegation is on a three-day bilateral visit to Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 30 (DNA) – The Government of Japan has conferred Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendations 2019 upon MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP), an association of Pakistani alumni’s of Japanese universities, in recognition of its significant contributions towards the promotion of educational relations between Japan and Pakistan.Every year, the Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.

Republic Day of Turkey celebrated

ISLAMABAD, OCT 30 (DNA) Ambassador of Republic of Turkey Mustafa Yurdakul has said Pakistan holds a special place for Turkey and Turkish diplomacy. Our relations continue to prosper in an era, during which both countries experience multiple turbulences.The Turkish ambassador made these remarks on the occasion of Turkish Republic day event held at the lush-green lawns of the Embassy. The Ambassador also read out message of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Wednesday has urged Indian authorities to unlock situation and fully restore rights currently being denied in occupied Kashmir.
A statement issued in Geneva by spokesperson of OHCHR Rupert Colville expressed serious concern over continued human rights violations.The statement said twelve weeks ago, on 5 August, the government of India revoked constitutional provisions granting partial autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and announced the creation of two separate federally-administered Union Territories, which will come into effect tomorrow.