Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan has used the opening of a new border crossing for Sikh pilgrims to try to relaunch a push for better ties with estranged neighbour India.
In a rare moment of recent co-operation, the nuclear-armed rivals met on Wednesday to lay the foundations of a new crossing allowing visa-free access to a Sikh holy site just inside Pakistan.
The former cricketer claimed he, his party and the powerful Pakistani military that India accuses of sabotaging former peace efforts, all wanted to mend ties.
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Pakistan detains hardline cleric, supporters ahead of more blasphemy protests
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“We wish to move forward, we want a civilised relationship. We have just one problem, Kashmir. If man can walk on the moon, what problems are there that we cannot resolve,” Mr Khan said in a speech to open the long-awaited crossing at Kartarpur.
Addressing India, Mr Khan restated an earlier claim that “if India takes one step forward then we will take two steps forward toward friendship”.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, a cricketing contemporary of Mr Khan and now tourism minister of India’s border state of Punjab, echoed his calls for progress.
“Both the governments should realise that we have to move forward,” he said.
But hours before the foundation stone was laid, Delhi apparently made clear it would rebuff Mr Khan's overtures, saying there could be no dialogue until Pakistan stopped terrorist activities in India.
India also said it would not attend a regional summit to be hosted in Pakistan.
Diplomatic sources say Indian leaders believe it is too politically risky to let down their guard and engage in peace talks so close to next spring’s general election. They have in the past accused elements of Pakistan’s military of sabotaging peace efforts with militant attacks.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, former Pakistani foreign minister, said the opening was “a good gesture for peace in the subcontinent”. But he said India appeared to be downplaying the event.
“Such initiatives must bring dividends, I am afraid not in this case,” he said.
The opening of a border corridor crossing for pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib shrine at Kartarpur has been under discussion for three decades, only to be postponed as the neighbours lurched from crisis to crisis.
The shrine marks where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent more than 18 years until his death. Pakistan has said the 4km-long corridor will be complete for the 550th anniversary next year of his birth.
Mr Khan wrote to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in September in an attempt to revive ties, suggesting that their foreign ministers meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
But his olive branch was rejected and the initiative quickly descended into acrimony. India attacked Pakistan’s “evil agenda”, while Mr Khan retaliated by calling Mr Modi a “small man” who lacked vision.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947. Their main dispute is over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part.
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Company%20Profile
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
RIDE%20ON
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Related
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20profile
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