Pakistan welcomes Modi's phone call to Imran Khan
Islamabad, Aug 2 : Pakistan on Thursday welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's congratulatory phone call to Prime Minister in-waiting Imran Khan earlier this week and said it hopes that the gesture will pave the way for bilateral talks.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal during a weekly briefing here said that he hoped the phone call will help improve ties with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member states.
Modi, in his phone call, had told Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Khan that India was "ready to enter a new era of relations with Islamabad" and that both countries should adopt a joint strategy for progress in bilateral ties.
Islamabad's ties with Saarc member states have been tenuous since the 19th summit which was supposed to be held in Pakistan in 2016. It was cancelled after India boycotted the event, causing Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan to also pull out, according to Dawn newspaper.
Earlier this week, the PTI had been deliberating inviting foreign dignitaries including heads of Saarc member states to Khan's oath-taking ceremony, but decided against it on Thursday.
In earlier discussions with the Foreign Office, PTI leaders were told that extending invitations to heads of state was "a sensitive matter".
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Tumakuru: Dalit family allegedly prevented from entering temple; accused arrested
Tumakuru: Police in Turuvekere have arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly obstructing a Dalit family from entering a temple and making caste-based remarks, officials said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Rajanna, has been booked under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on a complaint filed by Rangaramu T. of Thuyalahalli village.
According to the FIR, the incident took place on April 18 around 5:30 pm when Rangaramu T. and his family visited the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Mallur village to offer prayers. It states that the accused allegedly objected to their entry and made remarks referring to caste hierarchy and questioning their presence inside the temple premises.
The FIR further states that the accused made additional remarks asserting that such entry into the temple was not permitted and asked the family to leave. It also mentions that the complainant was subjected to mental harassment through these statements.
Following the complaint, DySP Om Prakash Gowda along with revenue officials and police visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
Further investigation is underway.
